Having this dream come true will put a smile on Austin Frendo’s face while he undergoes treatment for bone cancer.

Austin, 13, was diagnosed in September and was admitted to The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne to start chemotherapy.

He will have surgery in January before starting the second round of treatment for the following four months.

Yesterday, students at Trinity Anglican College and Hume Bank combined for Sky Blue Day, created in Austin’s honour to raise money for a 1.8-metre tank filled with Discus fish.

Students bought blue bandannas and bank staff donned blue outfits, raising about $5000.

Austin’s mother Jennie said it was difficult to explain how tough it was watching her child go through cancer.

“We’ve had support from the school, employers, family and friends and they are putting a bit of excitement back into his life,” she said.

“My husband and I are so grateful and thank everybody from the bottom of our hearts.”

Mrs Frendo said her son had always been obsessed with fish.

He had been studying them for 18 months and saving money earned from letterbox drops to start his own aquarium.

“His dream has become a reality and it means so much to him,” she said.

“The treatment gets them down and makes them sad, but this will take his mind off it.

“It’s critical to keep his spirits up.”

Austin visited Trinity for only the second time since starting treatment and smiled as he mucked around with his friends, who had blue material tied to their bodies.

Trinity principal Steven O’Connor was thrilled to see so many students handing over gold coins for Austin.

“In life it is important for students to have empathy and emotional intelligence,” he said.

“This reinforces the message to think of others loud and clear.”