The Wauchope Patchwork Quilters have been blown away by supporters from all over the world reaching out to offer words of support after 15 quilts bound for Wauchope District Hospital's Palliative Care unit were stolen.
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The group have been loving making more than 40 quilts each year since 2014 to give to patients who come to the palliative care unit in Wauchope.
Wauchope Patchwork Quilters president Helen Clunas said the group were devastated to learn their storeroom at the Rotary Youth Hall had been broken into on September 28.
"It is devastating to know that quilts handmade by our members and bound for patients in the palliative care unit were stolen," Ms Clunas said.
"It takes more than 20 hours to make a quilt not to mention the time it takes to carefully choose a design and cut the materials.
It is devastating to know that quilts handmade by our members and bound for patients in the palliative care unit were stolen.
- Helen Clunas
"The thieves also stole a sewing machine one of our members had kept at our storeroom.
"Someone has to know something - you can't dispose of 15 quilts without it being seen."
However with great sadness comes a renewed sense of community with people from all over the globe reaching out to support the local quilters.
"We put the fact someone had stolen the quilts on Facebook and on a number of quilting pages and it has been phenomenal the support," she said.
"We have been contacted by quilting groups all over Australia who are wanting to send quilts to replace the stolen ones along with an outpouring of support worldwide.
"I have also had messages from America, Finland, the United Kingdom and Belgium wishing us well on making more."
She said locally the community has really rallied behind their cause.
"We have had donations flooding in to help us make more quilts and we are certainly not going to stop
"We have had people reach out asking to join us in making more quilts and Spotlight and Stitched 'n' Framed have said people can drop off donations."
They bring our patients a lot of comfort and we always give families the option of taking the quilts to remember their loved ones which can be a special reminder of them.
- Ann Bodill
Executive officer and director of nursing at Wauchope District Memorial Hospital Ann Bodill said when news of the stolen quilts came in everyone was upset.
"The quilts are so appreciated by our patients because they really brighten up the rooms," Ms Bodill said.
"They bring our patients a lot of comfort and we always give families the option of taking the quilts to remember their loved ones which can be a special reminder of them."
If anyone knows anything please get in touch with Port Macquarie Police Station on 65830199 or Wauchope Patchwork Quilters on 0418 218 784.