How do you go back to normal after having the best day of your life? This is the dilemma seven-year-old Elliot faced after Police staff gave her the best start to her day.
Elliot was treated to a morning filled with police boats, bikes, lights, sirens and, not one but three dogs!
The day came about after a detective approached Youth, Community and Family Harm Manager Senior Sergeant Hamish Knight to see if he could help facilitate a visit for Elliot at the police station, where she could look at the cars.
Elliot is a brave young girl who has ongoing treatment for a chronic brain cancer condition. She loves everything Police and is a regular at the Emergency Services Open Day. It was hoped the visit would sprinkle a little more joy in her life.
“I thought the area could do one better than that,” says Hamish.
When Hamish put the call out to several teams, everyone was eager to help.
“I arranged a day out where Elliot was picked up from school in a police car and dropped off at Te Papa, where Maritime Unit staff were waiting to have her on board the police rhib Hukatai and sail to the Maritime Unit base along the wharf..Waiting for Elliot and her mum, Line, to arrive were police dogs and vehicles and a police motorbike.
“Elliot loved the experience and was absolutely beaming afterwards. On the ride back to school from the wharf she couldn’t stop talking about it. Mission accomplished!"
Elliot was very grateful to the staff who came out to meet her and gave high-tens to everyone before leaving.