CITIZEN of the Year Lyn Poulter has dedicated her life to putting smiles on the faces of sick children.
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After donating to Camp Quality through her involvement with the Armidale Classic and Specialist Car Club, she was invited to attend a camp.
It was there that she realised how special the work Camp Quality does is.
“The kids had me hook, line and sinker,” Ms Poulter said.
“I was just amazed at what they did, some had no legs, some were blind.
“It really is respite for them, when the kids are sick and in hospital all the time being poked and prodded and feeling horrible they really lose their self esteem.
“But, when they go to camp the support they get from each other and what they give each other makes them feel normal.”
A pathologist at Armidale Hospital, Ms Poulter is used to getting groans from the children she does blood tests for.
Her role at Camp Quality helped to change that.
“I’m a good old blood sucker, that actually inspired me to do more with Camp,” Ms Poulter said.
“Kids would come up for their blood tests and hate me, but to see them on a fun side they’re more relaxed at their tests.
“Working with them in both areas they trust you because they know you can be fun.”
In her 22 years at Armidale Hospital, Ms Poulter has used even her lunch breaks to help others.
She used to teach two young women with anorexia embroidery.
“The boredom of hospital life, these girls had to be watched while they ate,” she said.
“We’d sit there and do embroidery – but they had to eat their lunch.
“So I’d say, “Come on, finish your sandwich, have another bite and we can do some more.””
She said she was honoured to be nominated for the award.
“I was really gobsmacked when I got it,” she said.
“The people that have won it in the past are amazing people, to be in that rank is really special.”