A 12-year-old boy’s wish has come true, with the help of an Aussie construction company’s thoughtful donation.
For the last 19 years, FDC Construction and Fitout has held an annual event, raising funds for different charities close to the team’s hearts.
In their 35th year of business, it was all about going big, with a goal to raise enough money to fund 35 wishes for Make-A-Wish.
With 700 generous people in the room, they smashed that goal and then some.
“Our desire was to try and grant one wish for every year of business from FDC, so that we could help those less fortunate,” FDC Managing Director Russ Grady told news.com.au.
“A wish is, on average, about $10,000, so we thought if we could raise $350 000, that would go towards 35 wishes. But, in the end, we exceeded that result, almost double.”
The first wish they’ve been able to bring to life was for Queensland boy Hugo.
Hugo has Paediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS), an auto-immune encephalitis condition where a child’s immune system mistakenly attacks the brain, causing infections and inflammation to the brain that disrupts normal neurological and emotional function.
But, unlike most 12-year-olds, he also loves Metallica, listening to ‘The Black Album’ and their back catalogue from the ‘80s to stay calm and navigate the symptoms of this auto-immune condition.
It’s for this reason that he was so excited when he found out he was going to see them live.
“When I first found out, I couldn’t even believe it,” he told news.com.au
“I felt shocked and excited all at the same time. It didn’t feel real that I was actually going to see Metallica! I’ve spent so much time sick or in hospital, so hearing that my wish was coming true felt like the biggest light at the end of the longest tunnel. It gave me something amazing to look forward to, and even helped me feel hopeful again.”
Little did he know, he wasn’t just going to see the show. Hugo well and truly received the rock star treatment, being flown to Sydney for the event, and getting a limo to the venue before heading up to a corporate box with his family, and new friends.
Hugo also got the opportunity to meet the band and get a shout out during the concert – something he says he’ll never forget.
“Getting to be face-to-face with the band members of Metallica, talking to them, and actually shaking their hands and getting a hug was unbelievable, from them all!” he shared.
“They were so genuine, kind and so very down to earth, and it made me feel like I mattered to them for real!
“Close behind that was the shout out. Hearing my name in the middle of a massive awesome stadium was so unreal … like the whole world stopped for a second just for me. It’s something I’ll never forget.”
For Hugo, the whole experience made him feel like he wasn’t “just the sick kid”, adding that it was just as memorable for his family members who were able to attend by his side.
“For me, it meant getting a piece of my life back … a memory that isn’t about hospitals or treatment, but about living and enjoying life,” he said.
“For my family, it was a chance to finally breathe and see me smiling again. We’ve been through a lot together, and this gave us all something positive, something we can hold onto forever – Dad finally admitted it was better than his wedding, not the actual marriage to Mum part … but the day.
“It reminded us that even in hard times, incredible things can still happen.”
For the team at FDC Construction and Fitout, seeing this happen in real time was unimaginable.
“It was a very special moment. Very satisfying, to be able to do that,” Mr Grady said.
Though the 35 wishes that they were initially raising funds towards were already chosen, the team will select an additional 30 that they will now be able to make happen – and Mr Grady couldn’t be more excited.
“Giving back to the community is a very small part of what we do in business, but it sends a very strong message from us about who we are, and what we do,” he said.
“We’re really looking forward to the next 60-odd wishes through the course of the journey with [Make-A-Wish], and seeing where that goes, and how many others we can help.”
