Nurses in Our Lady’s are presented with quillows for kids to snuggle
By Aideen O'Flaherty
NURSES from a cancer ward in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin were presented with 40 ‘bravery blankets’ and 512 Easter chicks, which were knitted and crocheted by women from Tallaght and surrounding areas.
The presentation took place in Joel’s Restaurant this month where €300 was also raised for a local woman who does charity work in India.
Some of the quillows presented to the staff from Our Lady's Children's Hospital
The bravery blankets, which are also known as ‘quillows’ as they function has both a quilt and a pillow, will be given to children undergoing cancer treatment in St John’s Ward, as will the knitted chicks – which will be placed atop a small chocolate egg in an egg cup that children getting blood tests and other treatments will receive.
The idea for making the bravery blankets came about after Margaret Goulding, a Springfield woman who teaches knitting and crocheting classes, happened to have a nurse from St John’s Ward in one of her classes, who suggested that quillows would be ideal for the children in the ward.
Ms Goulding told The Echo: “The quillows are versatile, so the kids can snuggle up in them as a blanket, or they can fold it into the pocket and then use it as a pillow or cushion.
“The children can go home with their blankets and they can bring them to their appointments too.
“Because it’s so portable, it’s perfect for them to have it in the back of the car or in an ambulance.
“It’s a two-way thing – the kids benefit from it, and the people who make the blankets are mostly retired so it’s a hobby for them.”
Over 500 Easter chicks that the women crocheted have also brought a dash of delight to the ward, with Ms Goulding adding that a nurse from the ward recently told her that “every child that’s going into the ward is going out with a smile on their face” as a result of the chicks.
“With a condition like cancer, it must be frightening for the parents and the children,” explained Ms Goulding.
“It must be difficult to know what to say or what to talk about, so at least the blankets are a conversation starter.”
The women who knitted and crocheted the blankets and chicks are from all over the county, including Kilnamanagh, Fettercairn, Springfield and Palmerstown, while some of the items came from places that are further afield, such as Donegal.
Mr Goulding added: “I’m only a go-between. This just started and then it took on a life of its own.
“I’ve got great people around me and people are very good.
“I felt humbled by the way people were so willing to give their time to do this – it really touched me.”
The women also held a raffle on the night and raised €300 for Springfield woman Norah Merriman, who makes an annual trip to Kolkata with the aim of getting children off the streets and into education.
