The incredible gesture from Aussie paramedics for a dying patient will touch your heart
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It's stories like this that warm our hearts and remind us that we all need to take more time to appreciate what we have, and that an extra small gesture of kindness can make an enormous difference in the lives of those it touches.
This is what happened to Shirley McHugh, a 94-year-old Newcastle local, when her three daughters arranged for her to have a special trip back to her hometown from Sydney by ambulance last August.
Along for the ride were Brittaney Banks and Hannah Macfarlane, two NSW Ambulance paramedics who, along with the help of Shirley's family, created a moment that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
Brittaney and Hannah ensured that Shirley could experience the salt breeze of one of her favourite beaches, Bar Beach, for one last time.
After arriving at the beach, the two paramedics quickly helped Shirley find a nice and cosy spot to watch the waves and savour the sights and air.
Shirley simply gazed on, as if relishing her final chance to take everything in.
'Seeing Shirley's face when we opened the back of the ambulance, she just had that calm come across her,' Ms Banks shared.
'She just sat there reminiscing, it's one of those moments you don't often get ... It's probably one of the most impactful jobs I've done in my entire career.'
Shirley passed on 15 hours later after that special moment.
Pictures of the incredibly touching event were shared online and captured the attention of many.
Users on social media shared their praises for the kindness of the paramedics with one saying: 'Absolutely amazing. Bless you for your incredible humanity and kindness.'
'Such a beautiful gift. Wow,' a second added.
While a third said: 'This warms my heart.'
Lucia, one of Shirley’s daughters also shared her gratitude to the paramedics.
'You gave mum an extraordinary opportunity that made such a difference, to her and to all of us,' Lucia said.
Other users highlighted the impact ambos have on their patients and described how they are often 'undervalued'. Another paramedic shared that the ability to offer an act of kindness is the very reason she stays in the profession.
Shirley’s daughters and one of the paramedics reunited last Friday and reminisced about the journey.
'They did a fantastic job and went out of their way to bring mum home via the beach ... For her to come by the beach was very important for her, good for the soul,' one of Shirley’s daughters said.
Our thoughts go out to Shirley's family and the two paramedics who showed such kindness in making this experience come true.
Shirley McHugh is survived by her six children and will be remembered as a Newcastle girl all the way.
This isn’t the first instance of people from NSW Ambulance going above and beyond their duty.
In similar news, Clovelly Beach, some 244 kilometres north of Newcastle in Port Macquarie, was where then 85-year-old Mavis remembered first meeting her departed husband Ron, starting their journey of love that spanned over 65 years.
Paramedics Ray and Dave—who were deeply moved by Mavis’s recollection—detoured to Flynns Beach in Port Macquarie, while Mavis was being transferred to a palliative care unit, as a final act of compassion for the ailing octogenarian.
They paused their journey at the beach, enabling Mavis to feast her eyes one last time on the spectacle of the ocean meeting the sky.
You can read more about this heartwarming story here.
Members, what are your thoughts on this story? Share them with us in the comments below!
This is what happened to Shirley McHugh, a 94-year-old Newcastle local, when her three daughters arranged for her to have a special trip back to her hometown from Sydney by ambulance last August.
Along for the ride were Brittaney Banks and Hannah Macfarlane, two NSW Ambulance paramedics who, along with the help of Shirley's family, created a moment that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
Brittaney and Hannah ensured that Shirley could experience the salt breeze of one of her favourite beaches, Bar Beach, for one last time.
After arriving at the beach, the two paramedics quickly helped Shirley find a nice and cosy spot to watch the waves and savour the sights and air.
Shirley simply gazed on, as if relishing her final chance to take everything in.
Two paramedics brought Shirley McHugh (94) to her favourite beach for one last time. Image source: NSW Ambulance.
'Seeing Shirley's face when we opened the back of the ambulance, she just had that calm come across her,' Ms Banks shared.
'She just sat there reminiscing, it's one of those moments you don't often get ... It's probably one of the most impactful jobs I've done in my entire career.'
Shirley passed on 15 hours later after that special moment.
Pictures of the incredibly touching event were shared online and captured the attention of many.
Users on social media shared their praises for the kindness of the paramedics with one saying: 'Absolutely amazing. Bless you for your incredible humanity and kindness.'
'Such a beautiful gift. Wow,' a second added.
While a third said: 'This warms my heart.'
Lucia, one of Shirley’s daughters also shared her gratitude to the paramedics.
'You gave mum an extraordinary opportunity that made such a difference, to her and to all of us,' Lucia said.
Other users highlighted the impact ambos have on their patients and described how they are often 'undervalued'. Another paramedic shared that the ability to offer an act of kindness is the very reason she stays in the profession.
Shirley’s daughters and one of the paramedics reunited last Friday and reminisced about the journey.
'They did a fantastic job and went out of their way to bring mum home via the beach ... For her to come by the beach was very important for her, good for the soul,' one of Shirley’s daughters said.
Our thoughts go out to Shirley's family and the two paramedics who showed such kindness in making this experience come true.
Shirley McHugh is survived by her six children and will be remembered as a Newcastle girl all the way.
This isn’t the first instance of people from NSW Ambulance going above and beyond their duty.
In similar news, Clovelly Beach, some 244 kilometres north of Newcastle in Port Macquarie, was where then 85-year-old Mavis remembered first meeting her departed husband Ron, starting their journey of love that spanned over 65 years.
Paramedics Ray and Dave—who were deeply moved by Mavis’s recollection—detoured to Flynns Beach in Port Macquarie, while Mavis was being transferred to a palliative care unit, as a final act of compassion for the ailing octogenarian.
They paused their journey at the beach, enabling Mavis to feast her eyes one last time on the spectacle of the ocean meeting the sky.
You can read more about this heartwarming story here.
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