WHEN people think of bucket lists, they expect to see a mammoth collection of goals ranging from travel to extreme sports experiences.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
For Bathurst resident Sandra Sargent, though, her bucket list featured just one item, and that was to feed and cuddle an alpaca.
"I just love all animals and they were an animal I could never get close to or find anyone that had one," she said.
"I just love their beautiful little faces."
Now, that item has been crossed off the list, and it's all thanks to calling in to a show on 2MCE.
ALSO MAKING NEWS:
Rielle Moises and Stacey Fantom host The Collective Self 2.0 on the community radio station and recently did a show all about bucket lists.
"Sandra, who is one of our regular listeners, called in and told us that her only thing on her bucket list has been to feed an alpaca and cuddle an alpaca and she's had that on her list for ever and a day," Ms Moises said.
Instead of just listening to her story and moving on, the hosts put the word out to find someone who could help make the dream a reality.
Ms Moises said a few people got in contact, but they accepted the offer from Lifeline CEO Stephanie Robinson, who has a baby alpaca.
On Tuesday, they took Ms Sargent out to her property, where she got to bottle feed the baby alpaca, Rusty.
After that, they took her to Cherglenn Alpacas, owned by Glenn and Cherie McGowen, where she was able to meet and interact with dozens of alpacas.
"We're really all strong believers [at Lifeline] in the power of animals being part of your wellbeing, we have a pet friendly workplace, and I just happen to have some alpacas," Ms Robinson said.
"I offered for Rielle to bring Sandra out to feed my little baby, who I had got from [the McGowens]. I knew that they would want to be part of that good news story."
Ms Sargent said there was "no way in the world" she thought calling in to a 2MCE program would have resulted in her bucket list being completed.
"I could have cried when they told me," she said.
"I just can't thank them enough for doing it and I'm just so happy."
It was not just an amazing afternoon for Ms Sargent, but also for the people who made it possible for her to complete her bucket list.
"It makes me feel really, really great and I know Stacey is just thrilled with that, too," Ms Moises said.
The McGowens didn't hesitate to help and they made sure Ms Sargent had a great experience when she visited their property on Tuesday.
"It's one of those stories that pulls at your heartstrings and for us to have this many alpacas here and to know that someone, all they want to do is cuddle one, it's a no-brainer," Mr McGowen said.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark www.westernadvocate.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News