With the boxes of distraction packs are, back from left, Bronwen Byers, Janet McComb, Cambridge Police Senior Constable Deb Hann, Alison Burr, Cambridge Voluntary Fire Brigade’s Glenn Philip, Marie Davis and Jenny Shaw. At front is Police Youth Aid Constable Danica Hibdige and Altrusa Club president Glenda Little.
Boxes of toys and activities intended to distract children caught up in challenging situations were presented last week to members of the Cambridge Police and Cambridge Volunteer Fire Brigade.
The ‘Distraction Packs for Tamariki’ were put together over the past few weeks by members of Cambridge’s Altrusa Club. It was part of a national Altrusa initiative aimed at providing first responders and emergency service personnel with distraction packs that can be used to calm children in difficult situations. Donations were received from the community to help make up the age-related packs with items of interest for boys and girls.
Cambridge Altrusa Club president Glenda Little said club members and volunteers had put together an initial 52 packs, but the intention is to do more as required.
Altrusa Club members presented the packs at the Cambridge Police Station last Tuesday.
In receiving a box for local police, senior constable Deb Hann said they would be particularly useful at the station when interviewing people who come in with children to make statements. “It will be great to have them here … it will certainly make our jobs easier to have the children occupied with the toys.”
Cambridge Volunteer Fire Brigade deputy fire chief Glenn Philip said he understood toys for youngsters used to be carried in fire response vehicles, but that hadn’t been in the case locally for some time.
“It is good to be able to bring it back,” he said.
