ANIMAL lover Sandra Bellinger had a smile ear-to-ear yesterday after winning an intense bidding war for Cowabunga, a hand-reared calf sent to auction to raise money for the Swan Hill hospice.
Ms Bellinger was determined to buy the six-month-old heifer after reading about her in The Guardian last week.
“I read it in the paper about how she slept with the dogs, and was almost human,” she said.
Ms Bellinger sought the support of local lawyer Kim Bainbridge, who contributed towards the purchase of Cowabunga at the Swan Hill Regional Livestock Exchange for a cool $1220 yesterday.
“Well I wanted to support Sandra — she was extremely distressed that the calf may go to slaughter, and I thought it was for a good cause,” Mr Bainbridge said.
“We both contributed towards it, and we were both quite distressed. And other people in the community were concerned. It’s good to know it’s going to a good home.”
Ms Bellinger said Cowabunga, who shows affection, eats out of people’s hands and responds to commands, will be put out to pasture on a farm belonging to a close friend.
“He’s going out to a really good home where he’ll be loved,” Ms Bellinger said.
“I couldn’t have done this without, Kim Bainbridge — Kim was incredible. Everyone’s been amazing with support, I just want him to live his life out in love, and for him to be treated like he’s been treated.”
The man who raised the calf, Koraleigh farmer Tony Hoare, is the brother of the late Peter Hoare.
The hospice fund was created in honour of Peter, who spent the last few weeks of his life in Bendigo, having no hospice to treat him locally.
The hospice fund this week hit $89,700.
For more information on the hospice fund or to donate, visit givenow.com.au/shdh
