Rebecca loved giraffes.
It was a love shared by her husband Kevin, and the pair even had a giraffe theme when they tied the knot.
Rebecca also had a giraffe tattoo and a picture of one of the majestic animals stuck up on her hospice wall.
So it was a big moment when, last month, Rebecca’s Ambulance Wish was fulfilled when she and her husband Kevin fed the giraffes at Monarto Safari Park.
Ambulance Wish South Australia, in partnership with Southern Adelaide Palliative Service, made her special wish come true.
Arriving in the Wish Ambulance, Rebecca and Kevin were welcomed by the wide-open plains and the chance to spend time with the animals they both loved.
During the planning of this wish the experts at Monarto Safari Park warned that giraffes could
be particularly skittish, especially with the wheels of a stretcher or wheelchair, but the giraffes must have sensed Rebecca’s wish to feed them and came straight over to her and Kevin.
Together the pair fed carrots to the giraffes, sharing laughter and conversations that brought back fond memories.
Among the giraffes was one who lingered the longest with them. His name was Totsiens, a South African word meaning "till we meet again".
For Rebecca, this was a special part of the day, a moment that stood out. The experience was filled with happiness and smiles.
Reflecting on the wish, Rebecca said it was "a divinely perfect experience – the most beautiful I have had with giraffes".
Sue's time by the sea
In November Ambulance Wish South Australia also helped make Sue's wish a reality when she visited the newly opened Witton Bluff Base Trail at Port Noarlunga.
Sue arrived at the trail in the Wish Ambulance with her husband Steve, where they were joined by family, friends and their beloved dog Bunji.
They began at the Port Noarlunga jetty, then made their way along the coastal walk, enjoying the scenery together.
The day was simply joyful, with stories shared and smiles along the way. Sharing ice cream was a highlight for Sue, and Bunji’s presence made the day even more special.
Sue and Steve’s 50 years of marriage were woven into the day
The couple had lived in the Port Noarlunga South community since 1975, making the wish not only a celebration of place but also of enduring love and companionship.
Steve shared that the experience was "truly wonderful" and added, "I didn’t want this day to end".
Creating special moments
Each Ambulance Wish is free for recipients and their families and is available across the Adelaide metro, with the intent to expand statewide.
The program receives partial funding from SA Government to support the administration costs, with fundraising and donations supporting remaining costs.
On average each wish costs the program $2000 to fulfill. This is to ensure quality and safety of each recipient with clinical support, photographers, trained volunteers, memory books, specialised equipment and vehicles.
You can become involved
If you are inspired by this story and would like to support more wishes, consider contributing through donations, fundraising initiatives, or corporate sponsorship.
To learn more about how you can get involved, click here. (external site)
