When cow number 13 crosses the Sydney Harbour Bridge as part of the Herd Of Hope charity, the small community of Jugiong, near Gundagai, will rally together to remember their friend and son, Lui Polimeni.
Herd of Hope is an initiative created by South Australian farmer Megan McLoughin to raise awareness and funds for rural organ donations.
Later in the year, donor recipient stockmen will drive 40 head of cattle across the bridge, backed by grassroots funds – including sponsorship for individual cows, and donated elbow grease.
Lui died aged 15 on May 25 in 2016 of a brain haemorrhage, caused by a legal tackle while playing rugby league for the Gundagai Tigers. His family decided to donate his organs.
His mother Jenny Polimeni has since received three letters from organ recipients and their families who were given Lui’s life-giving gift.
Jenny and her husband Gino and son Joey have found solace in the ability for him to make positively impact peoples’ lives, even in death.
One letter was from a mother of three who received Lui’s heart, another from parents of a baby that received Lui’s liver and another from a 20 year old man who received Lui’s lungs.
“We would love to hear from other recipients and know as much as we can about all recipients,” Jenny said.
Jenny said the Herd of Hope honours Lui’s memory, and reflects the kind-hearted, passionate young man he was.
“I just want to tell Lui’s story. That’s a powerful thing to be able to do. I don’t believe Lui’s story is anymore special than anyone else, but there is something about about it draws people in. It’s inspiring.”
When Jenny told her friend Jen Milner, who owns the Jugiong Motor Inn, about Herd of Hope, she promptly rallied the community to sponsor a cow in memory of Lui.
“Lui epitomised everything you could want in a son and the decision Jenny and Gino made for him to be an organ donor is the hardest they have ever made,” Jen said.
“When word got out around the community everyone started to offer help. I have only lived in Jugiong for three and a half years but it’s home now, the whole community get behind you, especially in the bad times.
“What the family is going through is so incredibly hard, but the whole community is there to support them.”
Jenny said it is an honour for Lui to be in the Herd of Hope, and for the community to rally in his name.
“It’s a beautiful tribute to Lui Polimeni - a country boy who had everything in front of him who has now shared his everything with six others.”
