Sewn with love

Gemma Elizabeth from Hutt Valley District Health Board

Kathryn Van Woerkom provides support for patients and their relatives as a hospital chaplain.

Recently, she has also been very busy sewing hundreds of reusable masks.
All the masks have been sewn from fabrics generously donated from Kathryn's friends, family and work colleagues.

"Many of the masks made have been gifted to churches and community groups—they then donate them to people in need," said Kathryn.

Kathryn also had many staff enquiring to buy her masks. After receiving numerous requests, she decided to sell them to staff as a fundraiser for the hospital's Dignity Trolley.

The Dignity Trolley is for patients, who are at the end of their life—and for their families—who are by their bedside.

The trolley is laden with fine china, speciality tea and coffee, and homemade baking.

Liz McCloat, an administrator in the Medical Ward, help created the Dignity Trolley.

"We know the trolley makes a huge difference during the end-stages of a patient's life," said Liz.

"The trolley helps bring some comfort to the families and friends during a very hard time."

So far Kathryn has made nearly 450 masks. Many of them have been given away to those in need, and close to 200 of them have been sold to staff and their families.

"We started selling a few on our ward but it quickly grew," said Kathryn.

"It was amazing to see all the staff and their families supporting this important service."