Palliative patients wrapped in care

Horsham Patchwork Quilters Group has thrown its support behind the Wimmera’s palliative care patients for the second year in a row.

What began with a simple inquiry last year, has developed into an annual contribution to the Grampians Health Palliative Care team. The team had asked the group if they knew of anyone interested in making quilts for palliative patients.

The group got to work and donated a variety of quilts that were much appreciated by their recipients. The small hard-working group then committed to contributing quilts annually and this year donated 17 quilts for distribution to palliative patients.

Grampians Health Palliative Care nurses Deb Funcke and Jody Membrey thanked the patchwork quilt group for their wonderful contribution.

“Because of your hard work, we are able to provide each patient with an extensive selection of quilts so they can choose something that feels personal to them,” Ms Funcke told the group.

“For personal reasons, families like to keep the quilts after their loved one has passed so it’s reassuring to know we always have a healthy supply of them and we are very grateful to you all.”

Ms Membrey said her team took pictures of each quilt pattern donated and kept them in an album.

“That way patients can easily choose the design that feels right for them.”

Horsham Patchwork Quilters Group President Lea Crammond said the group would meet regularly at Horsham Library to make the quilts.

“We have a lot of fun making them and the importance they make for the recipients is not lost on us one bit,” Ms Crammond said.

“Many of the group has been touched by the need for palliative care among their family or friends and it’s a privilege for us to do this.”