Knitted firefighters used to help comfort children

A woman has knitted a crew of firefighter toys which are to be handed out to children at the scene of accidents and fires.

Maureen Atkinson, from Darlington, has been knitting the dolls since last year to provide comfort to children when they need them the most.

They are to be kept in fire engines at Darlington Fire Station.

"It's something for them to cuddle and maybe take a bit of pain away," the 81-year-old said.

She began knitting the dolls after reading a newspaper article about Beatrix, a three-year-old who celebrated her successful heart transplant by visiting a fire station.

"She had dilated cardiomyopathy and it really touched me as I was diagnosed with it when I was 60," said Ms Atkinson.

"I thought, 'I'll knit her a little fireman'."

Officers at County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service delivered the toy to Beatrix and Ms Atkinson was inspired to knit more toys for more children.

So far, she has made about a dozen teddies, including two larger dolls which are equipped with their own firefighting tools.

Station manager Billy McAloon said: "We are so grateful to Maureen for knitting these fantastic firefighter teddies which our crews will give to youngsters in need when they attend incidents.

"Our firefighters have got to know Maureen well through our regular coffee mornings at Darlington Fire Station which enable our crews to engage with the local community and provide fire safety advice."

The coffee mornings take place on the first Tuesday of every month and Ms Atkinson is planning on bringing more of her knitted toys along with her.

But she has also been asked to make a special item for the fire station - their very own knitted fire engine.

"I think it will be a good idea and I've got it in my head that I will do it," she said.

"It's just a case of trying and seeing how it works out."

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