Ambulance Wish WA would like to introduce “Peppi”, the Registered Charity’s mascot who will accompany recipients on their final wish.
On October 5th, 2013, we were all left a little poorer for the loss of Mr Richard Peppiatt. A loving husband, father, brother, uncle, son and friend, Richard’s loss was felt by many.
Richard – like many others – battled with cancer: a glioblastoma multiforme. He was fortunate to fight with the strength of his family and friends and the support of his amazing medical team behind him, determined to ensure that he lived until he died and that each moment was cherished and without suffering. For all that was packed in to the end of his life, the limitations and restrictions of his mobility made travel incredibly difficult. As inspiring as he was while he lived, Richard’s will lives on in the strength and dedication of those of us who knew him; our determination to ensure that others have the opportunity to make one last, meaningful journey is his legacy.
“Peppi” – named after Richard – is a Numbat, also known as a banded anteater. Native to Western Australia and extremely rare, there is an estimated population of less than 1,000 individuals in south-west Western Australia. The Numbat is an unique, endangered, pouchless, termite-eating marsupial. An adult can eat up to 20,000 termites a day and does not need to drink water because of the moisture content of the termites.
By adopting the Numbat – the faunal state emblem of Western Australia – as its charity mascot rather than the usual teddy bear, Ambulance Wish Western Australia wants to represent its Western Australian origins and the special individuality and uniqueness of the West Australians who volunteer for the organisation.
All Wish Recipients will receive their own gifted “Peppi” wearing his Ambulance Wish Western Australia necktie, along with a photo book documenting the fulfilment of their final wish. It has been identified by other international Ambulance Wish organisations that this mascot often becomes a treasured family memento.
Ambulance Wish Western Australia has just started fundraising to commission their first ‘Wish Ambulance’ – the vehicle which will allow the charity to start fulfilling final wishes for immobile, terminally ill West Australian patients.
#peppithenumbat
