Grandmother donates hundreds of quilts to Heidelberg’s Mercy Hospital for Women premmies

A GRANDMOTHER has been celebrated after donating hundreds of handmade, patchwork quilts to comfort premature babies at the Mercy Hospital for Women.

For more than 10 years, Ellen Mason has helped the Heidelberg hospital with up to 20 of her vibrant creations each month to raise money and as gifts to the babies in the neonatal intensive care unit and special care nursery.

Now Ms Mason, an Australian Quilter’s Association member, is hanging up her needle and thread to spend more time with her family. So the hospital held a morning tea in her honour on February 22.

Ms Mason said she wanted to help after she heard about a fire at the East Melbourne Mercy Hospital for Women in late 2004.

“I didn’t know much about the hospital but I felt like I needed to do something, so I contacted them and asked if I could send in some quilts,” she said.

Mercy Hospital for Women neonatal intensive care unit nurse manager Theresa Arnold said everyone was grateful.

“Every Christmas, Ellen would make enough quilts, sometimes up to 60, for babies who had to spend the festive season in the nursery,” Ms Arnold said.

“Quilt designs also included special versions celebrating the 100 days milestone in premature babies’ development and the 1kg club.”