Robert Whaites’ dream of cruising the streets in a Ferrari came true on Thursday June 23, when a snazzy black sports car pulled up to Epping Meadows Care Community to surprise the 74-year-old for his birthday.
Nita McKee, who works in the kitchen at the aged care home, organised the ride for Robert.
The pair are what the home calls ’meaningful mates’.
“A meaningful mate is someone that you’re paired up with who you share time with but you also try to learn about them so that you can make their experience more fulfilling,” Nita said.
“So if they have an interest you can try and create more where that interest is concerned, so with Robert it was Ferraris.”
The two grew to be companions and were inseparable, and Nita said she felt it was important to try and fulfil her friend’s wishes.
“He’s my meaningful mate, he attached himself to me and I made a promise to him over Christmas which I couldn’t keep so I thought I’d like to do something for him now,” she said.
Upon returning from his drive, Robert didn’t want to leave what he described as the “beautiful” car, wanting a photo of it for his collection.
Nita said it “meant a lot” to carry out this gesture for Robert.
“I just want to see him happy because he doesn’t have friends and family that visit so it’s just nice to do something for him,” Nita said.
Staff and residents later joined Robert to celebrate his birthday with cake and a sing along.
