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Highland Cow Brought to Basildon Home to Fulfill Dying Man’s Wish
By Drooid · · How we work
The Visit That Brought a Highland Cow to an Essex Home
An 89-year-old man receiving palliative care in Basildon, Essex, had his long-standing wish to see a Highland cow fulfilled when the animal was brought to his bedside. Christopher Cooksey, who developed a fondness for the breed while courting his wife in the Scottish Highlands, was able to touch, stroke and even kiss the cow despite having lost much of his sight.
Family Appeal and Logistical Effort
Cooksey’s family launched an online appeal asking that a Highland cow be brought to his home. Local cattle owner Chloe Lucas, who runs the Highland Hideout farm, responded. She organized the necessary paperwork, insurance, a truck and a trailer capable of carrying the animal, and arranged for the cow, named Margaret, to be transported to the property and led inside to Christopher’s bedside.
Key Participants
- Christopher Cooksey – 89-year-old resident of Basildon receiving palliative care, longtime admirer of Highland cattle.
- Chloe Lucas – Owner of Highland Hideout, the farmer who coordinated Margaret’s visit.
- Helen Cooksey – Daughter of Christopher Cooksey, who helped keep the visit a surprise for her father.
- Margaret – A nearly two-year-old Highland cow weighing about 250 kg (approximately 39 st 5 lb).
Responses from Those Involved
Chloe Lucas said she was “blown away” by the experience and spent much of the day in tears after arranging the visit. She described the moment as “incredible.”
Significance of the Moment
The event illustrates how a community’s rapid response to a personal appeal can create a deeply meaningful experience for a terminally ill individual. It also highlights the emotional impact such gestures can have on both the recipient and those who help make them possible.