NSW Police fulfil sweet and simple last wish for Newcastle woman Rita Meredith in palliative care

While the 75-year-old didn’t believe she was worth the fuss, the experience created beautiful memories for her family.

A dying woman couldn’t stop smiling after her last wish — to smell and see a horse one final time — was unexpectedly granted.

Rita Meredith joined the police force at 18 and was the first female in the UK to serve in the mounted police unit two years later, but is currently in palliative care.

In a surprising move, the mounted unit of the NSW Police travelled around 168km from Redfern to Calvary Mater hospital in Newcastle to fulfil the request.

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Rita Meredith started her career in the police force. Picture: Supplied

Horses Hollywood and Don took on the starring role, with their handlers Constable Nicole Hevell and Senior Constable Graham Lovett on side, to create an unforgettable experience for Mrs Meredith.

“It was a really happy day and Rita appeared to be happy that we were there,” Constable Harvell told The Daily Telegraph.

“My colleague Graham, who has been in the police for more than ten years, has never done anything like this before.

“It was incredible and I was honoured to meet her and be there for her. It was an amazing experience for both of us …. I guess we (Rita) could relate to each other.”

The former police woman got her dying wish. Picture: NSW Police

Mrs Meredith spent 10 years in the UK police force before leaving to set up her own riding school. She moved to Australia in 1991 after having children and went on to foster more than 60 kids — many with disabilities.

Daughter-in-law Emily Sykes said Mrs Meredith was overwhelmed by the surprise visit.

“She was so surprised that they travelled all that way just to see her. She is very humble and doesn’t believe she is worth all the fuss,” Mrs Sykes told The Daily Telegraph.

“She was just so happy to see them, pat them and of course smell them. She kept smelling her fingers and just smiling.”

“We got to pat them (horses) and feed them apples. There were plenty of tears shed and beautiful memories made.”

She met the Queen Mother in 1967 while on duty. Source: NSW Police

Her son, Robert Parnaby, told Daily Mail Australia that his mum couldn’t believe the police took the time to drive the five hour round trip to grant her the wish.

He added that his mum had even met the Queen Mother while working as a mounted police officer, with her horse nibbling on the royal coat.

“When meeting the queen mum her horse Neville tried to eat the fur on the cuff of the Queen mum’s coat, the queen mum laughed it off and said how wonderful it is to have a girl in that job,” he said.

The 75-year-old is not expected to return home from the facility where she is receiving palliative care.