Emergency medical transfers by the NZ Flying Doctors Service (NZFDS) could be required at the drop of a hat.
Many patients met with the misfortune arrive at hospital with little more than the clothes they are wearing and warm noggins are crucial to support their treatment, particularly vulnerable patients.
The next 109 patients will have solace with 109 beanies of all sizes gifted by Arvida Waimea Plains knitting group Creating Well last Wednesday.
Wendy Gibbins, who heads the knitting group, says member and woman of many other hats in the village, Judy Kennedy, warmed members with her idea to craft beanies for the life-saving service after a meeting with NZFDS pilot Rachel Mackie.
“We just put it out there to the group of ladies that come on a Thursday, and the response was absolutely amazing, they thought it was a wonderful thing to be part of,” she enthuses.
“There’s quite a few nurses living in the village so it rang a bell that these services are life-saving, especially for places like Nelson, where people have to go so far to get to a main base hospital.”
Nelson-based pilot for NZFDS, Rupert MacLachlan, took his hat off to the women for their six-week effort, and added the that beanies were welcoming heading into winter - as he stroked his bald scalp.
“We probably haven't had a donation of this size… and it comes from these ladies who put a lot of time and effort into making them, being able to handle something like that is really special,” he says. “A massive selection of sizes here for everyone from neonatal babies through to adults to have is brilliant.”
The beanies will be distributed between the Flying Doctors hangars in Nelson and Christchurch for pilots, flight nurses and doctors to use with patients.
Arvida Waimea Plains also recently raised $670 for NZFDS at a 60s and 70s jukebox night fundraiser.
