WISHING WIRE
Volunteer Newsletter| Issue 2 2014
Joshua’s wish brings him strength
to face his toughest battle yet
Fifteen year-old Joshua, who has acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, had one wish:
to meet his hero, Victoria Cross recipient Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith. Joshua is a keen
member of the army cadets, where he is also a Corporal, and hopes to one day become
an army combat engineer and work with bomb squad dogs.
Joshua had already spent eight months far away from
his family and friends in Queensland enduring tough
cancer treatment. On the day of Joshua’s wish he was
preparing to go in for the battle of his life – a bone
marrow transplant followed by six weeks of intensive
treatment in isolation. Joshua’s wish coming true gave
him an incredible boost and all-important strength ahead
of his toughest fight yet.
The look on Joshua’s face was one of pure joy, and he
clearly loved getting to chat to Ben about life in the army,
mateship and footy. Joshua’s wish also included meeting
a bomb squad dog, which he absolutely loved.
Ben Roberts-Smith said meeting Joshua was inspiring.
Volunteer Newsletter | Issue 2 2014
“I’m just a normal bloke, my life has been good. I’m
healthy. He’s a hero, having to fight a battle at his
age,” Ben said.
Our friends in the Australian Army will be helping to
celebrate World Wish Day all over Brisbane on 29
April. With 20 confirmed fundraising sites, including
a BBQ and army exhibit in King George Square,
we need enthusiastic volunteers to collect alongside
soldiers.
If you are interested in fundraising for this event and
would like to find out more, please contact Claire
Hendrick at [email protected] or on
(07) 3725 0601 ■
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