Members of Freshwater Bay Women’s Institute, who make anti-ouch pouches, often get letters from grateful recipients – but the latest thank-you card took them by surprise.
The pouches – underarm cushions designed specially for mastectomy patients after surgery – are very popular. The latest recipient – the Duchess of York – wrote to the WI, thanking them not only for her cushion, but for the hundreds they have made.
She was touched by their kindness and the efforts they make to help strangers at a time of such trauma.
Owens: Amazed to get such a lovely card from the Duchess
FBWI president Wendy Owens said,
“We were amazed to get such a lovely card from the Duchess. We just thought sending her a cushion, and a drainage bag, was a nice thing to do.
“She has encouraged all women to go for routine mammograms, and we back this message. Go for your check-ups, it may save your life – it saved mine.”
Hundreds of cushions made
Many members of FBWI produce the cushions, which along with drainage bags, and twiddle-muffs (for dementia sufferers) are regularly sent to St Mary’s hospital in Newport.
The initiative was started by Sandra Thearle and Peri Ryan, and the teams, including Pat Kendrick, Sue Morris, Dot Ellis and Janet Fair, have made hundreds of cushions over the last five years. All of the items have a label which reads “With love from Freshwater Bay WI”.
News shared by Janice on behalf of Freshwater Bay WI. Ed
Image: Some of the WI sewing team, from left, Janet Fair, Sandra Thearle, Pat Kendrick, Sue Morris and Dot Ellis, with the card from the Duchess, and some of the anti-ouch pouches
