We’ve all had times when we’re hurt or feeling sick, and we just need a hug – and that’s especially so if you’re a child in the unfamiliar surrounds of a hospital.

Thanks to generous local volunteers, East Gippsland kids have a selection of special new friends that they can hug if they are patients at Bairnsdale Regional Health Service.

Perioperative Nurse Unit Manager Scott Joustra said kids can choose from lovingly knitted cuddly toys to make their stay at BRHS a little easier.

“A member of our community comes in and donates teddy bears, Bingo and Bluey (from the hit ABC animated series Bluey), Mr Squiggle for kids who come in for operations – everything from dental to paediatric surgery,” Scott said. “The staff give them out as a little bit of distraction and a reward for the kids.”

The toys are often specially dressed to help children feel more comfortable as they are waiting for or recovering from surgery.

“We dress them up. We put a hat or a gown on them, and we bandage them up to make them look similar to a child who has come in for a fractured arm. We dress up a teddy or Bluey in a similar fashion,” Scott said.

“We just want to thank the community. Sometimes groups create toys. They just come in and drop them off, and it makes a difference for us and for the kids.

“The toys really get the kids’ mind off what’s happening. It’s just fantastic. We’re really grateful for their support.”