When paramedics and police turn up to traumatic events or accidents, the Junee Lions Club wants to make sure there is always a friendly face nearby to help children process the events.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
That is why they are donating 20 teddies to the town's emergency services.
"This is the first time we've done this, but when they start to run out we'll keep getting them more," said Lions Club member and trauma teddies organiser Vicki Gardner.
Mrs Gardner and her husband Steve were prompted to begin the appeal for trauma teddies after conversations with their paramedic daughter.
"She's the acting station officer at Gundagai and Junee at the moment," said Mrs Gardner.
"We were hearing from her and from the local police that when they turn up to something dreadful like and there's children there, they're traumatised.
"[The children] may have seen something horrible or been involved in something violent or in an accident, and they just need something to hold onto so that they can feel comforted in that moment."
The first load of teddies were delivered to Junee on Saturday, with half provided to police and the remaining going to paramedics.
While he hopes they will bring the necessary support to whoever needs them, Junee Lions Club secretary Neil Sheedy has his fingers crossed that these 20 teddies will never be see active duty.
"You'd hope they never would be needed, but unfortunately at times they are," Mr Sheedy said.
"Over time, unfortunately, there have been a few instances when they might have been needed in town."