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Whether it be a possum with an injured leg, an orphaned joey or a wounded baby wombat, Meegan Lenham and Kathleen Arnold provide some comfort to injured native animals with their wonderful woollen pouches.
The two friends, both of whom have an intellectual disability, attend Greenacres Disability Services Retirement Options program, where they spend weeks lovingly knitting and sewing together the pouches before handing them over to WIRES, who use them to help rehabilitate injured native animals.
Ms Lenham said they decided to begin making the pouches after seeing similar items being used by the RSPCA in a documentary.
“When I saw the pouches on TV, I thought, ‘I can make some of those’,’’ she said.
‘‘I love the thought that they will be used by baby kangaroos, koalas and possums who will snuggle up inside them all warm and cosy.”
In 2004, WIRES received about 12,500 calls to rescue injured Australian native animals. In 2013 this figure rose to more than 68,000, an increase of almost 450per cent.
WIRES spokesperson Carla Toyne said the efforts of people like Ms Lenham and Ms Arnold were much appreciated.
‘‘Every pouch that is knitted will be put to good use, and we encourage others in the community to take the lead from Meegan and Kathleen to make a difference,’’ said Ms Toyne.
Greenacres Retirement Options has places for people with a disability aged over 50, who have been working and are now retired or semi-retired. Call 42266014 if you want to join the program.
Pouch donations: Call 8977 3327