By Jessica Anstice
A traumatic childhood experience is why Naomi Allen felt compelled to help others.
When she was just 13-years-old her house burnt down and her, and her family, lost everything.
Her little cousin, who was six-years-old at the time, gifted her a teddy bear from his own collection of toys – which essentially ended up being her only childhood toy.
“I no longer had any of my beloved teddies from my childhood so this one became very special and brought me a lot of comfort,” she said.
Following the bushfires in East Gippsland earlier this year, the Tynong woman knows just how distressing times like this can be for children and wanted to do something to help.
With the community’s and her family’s help, Ms Allen was able to organise for almost 70 teddy bears to be distributed to children in the bushfire affected areas on Friday 13 March.
“I organised the original Facebook post and idea, as well as purchased some teddies and crocheted about 15 jackets,” she said.
She wrote a lovely poem on the gift tags for the children while her grandma bought a few extra teddies and knitted 10 mini jackets.
Another generous woman, who came across the Facebook post, crocheted 10 more jackets and 25 little fire helmets.
Her and her partner travelled to the East Gippsland region and on their way, they met two firefighters who were deployed from America.
“We got talking and found out they’ve been over here for over a month, away from their families, to help out during our bushfire crisis,” Ms Allen explained.
“We thought it would be a nice Aussie thank you for them to take the teddies back to their US stations.”
A couple of the teddies were left with officers at the Mallacoota Police Station, who said they endeavour to deliver them to children from the surrounding areas such as Cann River and Genoa.
When they bumped into a local Mallacoota woman who knew three children who had lost everything they handed a few to her.
The remaining bears were left in secure hands at Bairnsdale Police Station.
“All the people we left the teddies with were so grateful for the thought and appeared touched by everyone’s kindness to help it all come together. I hope the teddies can give some comfort to the children,” she said.
“I’d like to say a massive thanks to everyone who donated teddies or crocheted and knitted jackets and to my boyfriend for driving out to Mallacoota and the other fire affected towns with me.
“Also a big thank you to captain Rod for taking the time to meet up with us and pull out the truck. And thank you to the officers who took the time to hear my story and offer to pass the teddies on.”
