'What a catch': Widowed SA pensioner's plea for a mate lands dream fishing trip
It was a plea that touched our hearts when a lonely grandfather took to Gumtree in a bid to find a new fishing mate.
People from all around the world saw Ray Johnstone's story, but the most generous offer has come from a Queensland family.
Upon reading Ray's appeal on social media the the Sunshine State family has since reached out to the widowed pensioner with an offer that could simply not be refused.
The Batsinilas brothers have offered to fly Ray and his grandson up from Adelaide for two days on Stradbroke Island so he can fish to his hearts content.
And Ray has happily agreed.
Typically on any given hot Queensland afternoon, you're likely to find the Bastinalis brothers out on a boat.
"People say we're crazy and we are, we're crazy fisherman,” Mati Batsinilas told 7 News.
And it turns out their hearts are as big as the fish they catch.
The family admit that when Ray Johnstone reached out for a friend to take fishing, after his mate died, it was a call they couldn't ignore.
"I just put a comment on the page and didn't think much of it, then I woke up in the morning and saw 1500 likes," Mati told 7 News.
"So I went to a bit more effort, emailed a few people, tried to track him down and I actually did."
"Something I never expected," Ray told 7 News of the offer from the brothers.
The keen fishermen were so impressed with Ray and his story that they knew they had to take the elderly man on a fishing trip he would never forget.
If it's anything like their impressive videos posted to social media Ray has won the fishing lotto, Queensland hospitality and potentially some very big fish.
"Something that is almost nothing to us has the potential to change someone's life," Mati told 7 News.
Ray is already preparing for his Queensland adventure with new fishing gear, another gift from a new sponsor.
Ray only has to wait until next week to be on board with the Bastinilas family.
A dream come true for the grandfather looking for a few extra friends.
"I'd like to thank everybody for all their help," the grandfather said.
He said he is amazed by the response and it is something he never expected.
"It gets a bit lonely just sitting around watching the TV a lot of the time," he told 7 News.
"Going fishing by yourself is not much fun."
"My name is Ray Johnstone. Australian. I'm a widowed pensioner who is looking for a fishing mate. My previous mate is now deceased," Ray wrote on the ad.
"What I want is a fishing mate in a similar position to myself who also wants someone to go fishing with," he added.
"I am willing to share all costs e.g. petrol bait and should you happen to own a boat willing to pay all ramp fees but happy if you are also a land based fisherman."
Ray even listed his condition on Gumtree as "Used".
Since the ad was posted on January 19 it has been viewed more than 88,000 times.
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