A rejuvenated Johnsonville RSA women?s section has collected over 250 toys
A rejuvenated Johnsonville RSA women?s section has collected over 250 toys bound to provide comfort for children in times of need. Last weekend the toys were presented at the club to Police Commissioner Howard Broad. RSA members Theresa Roberts and Mary-Anne Simpson are behind the collection that aims to assist local emergency services confronted with frightened children. ?There really was a lot of support from the community and the RSA; we have collected the target we were looking for,? says Mrs Roberts. The idea to collect toys and hand them over to local police and fire services hails from when the police had Officer Ted and Spot the Dog for children. The RSA women?s section had been in hiatus for some years until Mrs Roberts and others arrived. ?The group is formed to support the RSA and the community as a whole,? she says. RSA president Gary Roberts, a former policeman, says the soft toys are for situations where children are scared and could use the extra comfort. The idea is that emergency services will be able to use the soft toys to placate and comfort children in time of crisis. ?Kids see men in uniform under some traumatic situations, and they don?t understand and can be fearful of the officers. ?This will probably be administered by victim support,? says Mr Roberts. Johnsonville RSA would like other clubs to kick-start the collection for their region and Mr Roberts says extending the clubs community involvement is a focus. ?The women?s section has struck a really good on with the fluffys. ?They have a different way of thinking and identifying needs in the community,? he says. The RSA is also supporting the local food bank, which is always under pressure. ?We have members who are in the Lions Club also, so we are not doing things alone.?
