Western NEWS

Editor:

General Manager:

Sales:

Sales:

Sports Journalist:

Graphic Design:

Printer:

Letters to the Editor:

Web:

Distribution Map

Kerrie Davies 0422 067 644

Bart Bassett 0412 955 745

Bart Bassett 0412 955 745

Malama Psarianos 0416 203 777

Noel Rowsell 0424 007 202

Stacey Fortescue 0420 319 893

Pegasus Print Group, Blacktown nepeannews@aol.com www.wsnewsgroup.com

BY KERRIE DAVIES

THE bitterly cold winter nights have well and truly set in now, and the old ice pick is needed on some mornings to get your car out of the driveway.

As you jump in your nice warm bed tonight and lay back on your warm fluffy pillows, switching on your electric blanket if you have one, or pulling the ultra thick doona right up to your eyeballs so that only your eyebrows feel cold, spare a thought for our homeless people.

There are many around our area with various reasons for being without a home, including financial difficulty, battling addictions, mental illness, fleeing abuse and domestic violence. Some are living in cars and some are braving the elements and looking for shelter.

In these cold conditions, they are likely sleeping on cold concrete or grass, some with only a piece of cardboard for warmth.

If you’re in a position to, now is a great time to donate blankets, warm jackets and tinned soups. Or maybe the next time you go shopping and spot gloves and beanies for a few dollars each, you could purchase a pair or two for someone who can’t afford them.

Thick winter jackets, beanies, gloves, socks and tinned hot meals are all things that will come in handy to those who don’t have the comfort we have to come home to.

There are so many local charities across our large region that will pass on the goods for you, and it can really make a difference to someone’s life – particularly at this time of year. If ever there’s a time where a kind gesture is appreciated by those in need, it is during the coldest months of the year.

If you have items to donate but you’re unsure where to take them, email us at nepeannews@aol.com and we will let you know the collection agent nearest to you. Thank you in advance!

Knitted with love: Keeping Blacktown Hospital’s premature babies warm

BLACKTOWN Hospital’s tiniest patients have received a generous donation of baby bonnets, mittens, and booties.

The Blacktown City Lions Club, including Leonie Day visited Blacktown Hospital to pass on the knitted goods, made by community member Sandra.

Blacktown Hospital A61 Newborn Care Midwifery Unit Manager Terry Freeman expressed her gratitude for the knitted items as they will make a real difference to premature babies’ wellbeing.

“Premmie babies are especially prone to getting cold so it’s important to keep them warm with bonnets, mittens and booties all year round,” Terry said.

“It is important to keep babies nice and warm. The head is the biggest surface area of their body, so the bonnets are useful post-delivery to prevent them losing heat.

“We love using the bonnets because they allow parents to have skin-to-skin contact with their baby whilst also keeping them covered.

“Babies are monitored when cared for in newborn care while wearing a bonnet. It is advised that parents follow Safe Sleeping recommendations when their baby is in their care to ensure their baby’s head and face remain uncovered.

“Thank you, Sandra and the Blacktown City Lions Club for these knitted items which will be cherished and used in the birthing unit,” Terry said.