Who is ready to get real jazzed up on the kindness of strangers, folks!
By now you absolutely have heard about Ray Johnstone, the 75-year-old widower from South Australia who took out an ad on Gumtree in search of a mate to go fishing with.
Ray’s sincere, if not utterly heartbreaking, ad went viral as people across the nation frantically tried to sort out a good cobber to go wet a line with him, because no bloke should ever have to go fishing alone.
The response was overwhelming, and Ray’s family confirmed that not only had someone come forward and offered to go fishing with Ray, but that two absolute dead set legends were flying Ray, and his grandson, up to Queensland on an all-expenses paid fishing trip to Stradbroke Island.
And friends, it’s happened. Ray went fishing with his new mates.
Mati Batsinilas, along with his brother Nick, are currently chaperoning Ray around the Straddie area, hooking in to some fairly sizeable fish, if photographic evidence is anything to go by.
But above all else, Ray just looks like he’s having a belter of a time, which warms every cockle of the ole’ heart.
Based on previous social media posts, Mati and Nick are fairly handy with a rod and reel, so there’s little doubt as to how Ray’s trip is going.
Speaking to ABC News, Mati confirmed that the pair fished off Moreton Bay on Monday in search of some whiting, and plans are afoot for Wednesday to take Ray four-wheel driving in search of beachworms, before Ray flies back to South Australia late Wednesday afternoon.
“I offered him a holiday away — and not just for fishing, but to get away and relax. I said from the beginning to Ray that we would get there and that I would commit to it and do it.”
“We got about 25 at the moment and we’re doing it to get Ray onto some big fish hopefully. The weather gods have been on our side, which is cool.”
Mati also thanked everyone for the outpouring of support shown towards Ray since he posted the ad.
“He’s here now and it’s unreal. I can’t explain it in words. It’s so good to see him smile.”
“The feedback has been unreal and the support from everyone has been phenomenal.”
HOW BLOODY GOOD IS THIS!
Go get your fish, Ray. Go get ’em.
Source: ABC News.
Photo: Mati Batsinilas/Facebook.
