RECENTLY members of Marlborough & District Embroiderers' Guild have been busy supporting the Trauma Teddies' initiative together with the members of Stitch 'n' Time at the Roebuck in the town and Ellendune WI.

The Trauma Teddy was first conceived in 1990 in Australia when it was noticed that a teddy bear given to a child being treated after a traumatic incident produced a calming effect.

The Red Cross became involved in designing and constructing bears to give to children in distressing situations. It has now become a worldwide practice instituted in all kinds of trauma inducing situations, for example by firefighters, the ambulance and police services and the law courts.

The teddies help to distract children when something distressing is happening around them. The child keeps the bear and it becomes a comforter for them.