Surf lifesavers hailed as heroes after granting 96-year-old’s humble wish

Members of a surf life saving club in Queensland have been hailed as “heroes” after they helped a 96-year-old local man to fulfil a simple final wish.

The Metropolitan Caloundra Surf Life Saving Club helped Len Stevens to get his feet wet on Sunday, as the volunteers assisted the elderly man across the sand and into the water with his walking aid.

The club shared a sweet photograph of the moment that Len was able to dip his feet into the ocean on social media, and wrote: “96 year old Len Stevens just wanted to get his feet wet, so how could we not make it happen for him.”

The photograph shows Len, wearing a checked shirt and black shorts, clinging to his walker as he stands ankle-deep in the sea at King’s Beach on the Sunshine Coast, while surf lifesaver Brian Dreves looks on from the side.

https://www.facebook.com/MetCaloundraSLSC/photos/a.154249598059110/1580519375432118/?type=3&theater

A spokesperson for the club told 7News that they were contacted by Len’s daughters who asked if they would be able to help make his wish come true.

“It was great to give Len the happiness such a simple thing we all take for granted gave him,” Eliza Dreves, from Caloundra Surf Life Saving, told 7News. “Surf Lifesaving is one big family and if we can welcome people like Len into the family that’s so special!”

Many people commented on the image, and commended the surf lifesavers for taking the time to make the man’s dream a reality.

One person wrote: “Thats wonderful, hope he had a wonderful time, my little one is 3.5yrs needs mobility devices to help get around as well, luckily he’s still little and can be carried still over the sand when it comes to trips to the beach – ( but its exhausting through walking over any sand with millions of towels and sand toys ).

“But hopefully more and more beaches will have wheelchair/walkers paths in the early future so everyone can cherish the feeling of sand and waves rushing over their toes no matter what age.”

Another said: “Thank you so much. What a wonderful thing to do. Thank you for caring & helping an old man feel the beautiful ocean on his feet. You guys are hero’s!” [sic]

Another user commented: “This is just beautiful, a small gesture from the lifesavers would have absolutely made this gentleman’s day amazing.” While another said: “Heroes don’t wear capes!”