Loretta’s Ambulance Wish was to see the beach and have lunch at the Aldinga Surf Life Club with her family and friends.
On Thursday the 18th of July 2024, Loretta’s Ambulance Wish was fulfilled, marking a deeply touching day filled with cherished moments for her and her loved ones. Organised by the Ambulance Wish South Australia program in collaboration with the Northern Adelaide Palliative Care Service (NAPS), Aldinga Surf Life Saving Club, and Silver Sands Restaurant, the day was designed to create memories that last forever.
The journey began as Loretta, accompanied by her husband Basil and the Wish Day Team, travelled from Modbury Hospital to Aldinga in the Wish Ambulance. Their first stop was at Loretta’s beloved family beach house at Aldinga Beach, a place steeped in decades of happy memories. There, with a smile on her face, Loretta used chalk to add her name to a wall. The smiles on those around her was heartwarming, reflecting the shared joy and significance of the moment.
Next, they arrived at the Aldinga Surf Life Saving Club, where they were warmly welcomed by President Nathan. With special arrangements, Loretta was able to experience the beach she cherished so much: reversing down the boat ramp, she could see the sand, hearing the waves, and smelling the sea on a tranquil winter day. This place, lovingly referred to by Loretta as “my beach,” held immense significance for her.
The day culminated in a heartfelt gathering as eighteen of Loretta’s friends and family joined her and Basil for a delicious ’fish and chips’ lunch. The Aldinga Surf Life Saving Club generously provided the couples meal, while Silver Sands Restaurant complimented a dessert for all the guests, fostering an atmosphere filled with joyous conversations, moments of reflection, and abundant love and laughter.
Moved by the experience, Loretta expressed her profound gratitude, stating, “I feel at peace now”. This day not only fulfilled Loretta’s wish to revisit her cherished beach and enjoy a meal with loved ones but also created lasting memories that will be treasured by all who shared in this beautiful occasion. Thank you to our wonderful Ambulance Wish Team Donna, Heather, Alicia, Ingrid, Nick, Chloe and Karen for fulfilling this special wish and our photographer Russell and videographer Lyndal for creating memories that last forever.
Thank you to our palliative care service partner Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (Palliative Care Team) and the support of Nathan and then Aldinga Surf Life Saving Club and Mark, Lachlan and Silver Sands Restaurant for creating such a wonderful wish location.
Ambulance Wish SA is the signature program of Palliative Care SA, in collaboration with St John SA and Flinders University. The program is proudly supported by the SA Government and Carers SA.
We would also like to thank an anonymous community member whose generosity of Sponsoring a Wish made this Ambulance Wish possible.
Please consider supporting this incredible program and people like Loretta by making a donation, becoming a friend of Ambulance Wish SA, fundraising, sponsoring a wish or becoming a corporate partner.
