A legally blind North Queensland legend has helped bring some much-needed joy to the life of an 18-year-old cancer patient with an epic LandCruiser convoy around Townsville. This is his story.
Whitsundays local Daniel Reddicliffe, aka Duck Bus Dan, may be losing his sight, but he’s never lost his vision for bringing happiness to others.
When he met Charters Towers teen Cody Wilson, who’s bravely battling cancer in Townsville University Hospital, Dan knew he had to do something special.
On April 7, Cody was diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma, a form of blood cancer that has left him with a tumour in his chest bigger than the size of his heart.
With at least six weeks of chemotherapy left, Cody still has a long journey ahead.
Dan bonded with Cody over their shared love of four-wheel-drives during a recent hospital visit, where he gifted Cody an electric guitar.
“Cody loves his LandCruisers just like I did at his age,” Dan said.
“My best memories were made in my LandCruiser, and I want Cody to feel that same thrill.”
Inspired by their connection, Dan put out a call online and rallied LandCruiser owners from far and wide for a massive cruise to lift Cody’s spirits in Townsville over the weekend.
North Queensland locals rallied their LandCruisers for a cruise for Cody Wilson in a bid to bring the 18-year-old some joy as he undergoes treatment for cancer in Townsville. Picture: Brooke Pohlmann/Paddock Portraits Photography
Cody’s mum, Kellie Wilson, said her son had been beaming all day, overwhelmed by the support they received.
“Dan’s kindness has been a blessing for us,” she said.
“It’s just me and Cody, so I felt very alone going through everything after Cody’s diagnosis until Dan came into our lives. We really appreciate it.”
North Queensland locals rallied their LandCruisers for a cruise for Cody Wilson in a bid to bring the 18-year-old some joy as he undergoes treatment for cancer in Townsville. Picture: Brooke Pohlmann/Paddock Portraits Photography
Dan has also launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover Cody’s ongoing expenses and support Kellie as she takes time off work to be with her son in Townsville and travels back and forth from Charters Towers.
“Cody has a PET scan on July 3, the day before his 19th birthday, so hopefully we get to celebrate it and say he’s cancer-free,” Ms Wilson said.
North Queensland locals rallied their LandCruisers for a cruise for Cody Wilson in a bid to bring the 18-year-old some joy as he undergoes treatment for cancer in Townsville. Picture: Brooke Pohlmann/Paddock Portraits Photography
Dan’s own journey hasn’t been easy. Diagnosed at 16 with retinitis pigmentosa, a rare eye disease, he lost his licence at 23. Doctors said his vision would be completely gone by his 40s, but Dan hasn’t let that slow him down.
You can support Cody and his mum here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/convoy-for-cody
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