Uniting AgeWell resident Helen Cherrie doesn’t appear to be your stereotypical WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) fan, but a recent Wishing Well experience showed she really is one of the crew.
The Kingsville Community resident is often found watching the spectacle on TV from her room, cheering on the villains and heroes.
“I just started watching it on TV and I thought, ‘This is good’ and I kept watching it,” she said.
“My brothers say it’s all an act but I don’t care; I love it.”
When the WWE announced it was coming to Melbourne for the live Super Show-Down in early October, Helen wished to go but never thought it would be possible.
That’s when Kingsville Community Leisure and Lifestyle Coordinator Michael Silva stepped in. He contacted the Wishing Well program and set the wheels in motion for Helen’s dream night.
“I knew it was an unusual request for a lady in her 60s to go to the wrestling, but Uniting AgeWell didn’t make a judgment,” Michael said.
“The Wishing Well program moved mountains to get Helen to the Show-Down and I’m really proud to be part of an organisation that makes these things happen for residents.”
The wish included a pre-dinner show anywhere of Helen’s choosing and, to Michael’s surprise, she chose a fillet o’ fish from “Maccas”.
Helen was “in her element” at the MCG, watching the characters from TV step into the ring and battle it out for Super Show-Down champion status.
“I’ve never seen such unbridled joy,” Michael said. “For the period of time she forgot about the things she was unable to do and was connected with everyone there.
“We were sitting behind a group of bikies and it was amazing because when the bouts started they all started high fiving each other and Helen joined in.”
Helen said the atmosphere was “absolutely great” and she was thrilled to take home her program and t-shirt, and display her framed ticket on the wall of her room.
Helen’s wish, and so many others like it, are made possible through corporate sponsorships and participating teams at Uniting AgeWell’s Annual Charity Golf Day, as well as donors who contribute to the Wishing Well appeal.