91yo knits teddy bears for charity

Care bears: Audrey Patterson has knitted a tribe of teddies for the children’s hospital.

Trevor Veale

AUDREY Patterson knows how to spin a good yarn.

Five years ago at the tender age of 86 the Sandy Beach resident decided to make teddy bears and other knitted garments for charity. Now she can hardly put her needles down.

Mrs Patterson now makes about 80 bears a year for the children’s hospitals in Randwick and Westmead and the children’s ward at Coffs Harbour. In her spare time she keeps busy knitting hats for Camp Quality.

The knitting is as much an act of benevolence as a well-loved hobby for the nimble-fingered 91-year-old.

“I love doing it, it keeps my hands free of arthritis and I knit at night while I am watching TV,” Mrs Patterson said.

She has also seen first-hand how well her bears are appreciated after visiting her own sick grandchildren at the Westmead Children’s Hospital.

All Mrs Patterson’s knitting, stuffing and postage costs are totally self-funded.