Umina craft group supports wildlife carers
Seamstresses, crafters and makers from across the region have united in a new Umina group which supports wildlife carers on the Central Coast.
The Lesa Valpy Craft-Sew for Wildlife Carers Central Coast NSW 2257 group was formed in November.
In just two months, they have produced thousands of handmade items to support the work of local carers.
Founder Ms Lesa Valpy said the group was made up of 63 dedicated women wanting to make a difference.
The Umina group held two sewing bees in Woy Woy in January.
According to Ms Valpy, sewing is the tip of the iceberg.
Aside from sewing, knitting and crocheting everything from pouches, nests and wraps to custom made glider mittens, the group has been supporting locals who have cared for injured wildlife this summer.
"Our wildlife carers have been stretched to breaking point and without them our wildlife wouldn't stand a chance, so we decided early on that whatever they needed we're going to get."
A longtime member of the Central Coast Women's Friendship Group, Ms Valpy formed her group with a handful of women with sewing skills and has since watched it grow to 63 members.
Ms Valpy said her group was unique in that its focus as a crafting group was solely on supporting the Central Coast region.
"While we do take guidance from the Animal Rescue Craft Guild (an Australia-wide community of crafters) we're different in the fact that everything we do is directly to the benefit of locals.
"We're 100 per cent dedicated to the Central Coast," Ms Valpy said.
Ms Valpy has partnered with Wires Central Coast and Wildlife ARC Central Coast to ensure that every item members of her group sew, knit and crotchet are contributed directly to carers on the Coast.
Anybody wanting to donate to the Lesa Valpy Craft/Sew for Wildlife Carers Central Coast NSW 2257 or get involved with the group can email Ms Valpy at Lesavalpycraft.sew@gmail.com.
SOURCE:
Interview (Dilon Luke), 22 Jan 2020
Lesa Valpy, Lesa Valpy Craft/Sew for Wildlife Carers Central Coast NSW 2257