From Wodonga to South Maroubra, little Archer Irwin found himself a long way from home this week amid ocean waves and his favourite TV stars.
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After he becoming obsessed with the ABC show Nippers, featuring the South Maroubra Surf Club, Archer’s mum Nikki contacted the club to ask if they could watch the nippers in action.
But instead of watching, Archer had the “perfect day” meeting and training alongside the children from his favourite show.
“The whole day was amazing, it wasn’t about him being sick, he was just seen as a little kid who loved the show,” Ms Irwin said.
In the last 12 months, six-year-old Archer has been admitted to hospital 23 times relating to his alpha one antitrypsin deficiency.
He is currently on the transplant list for a new liver and lungs, but a new specialist is hoping to try alternatives for six months.
Ms Irwin said the family was preparing to leave the beach and head to the Royal Children's hospital for new medicine and procedures to deal with esophageal varices, where the veins in his esophagus can burst from pressure.
The family will be at the hospital for at least four days.
“It was an awesome way to go into a crappy time,” Ms Irwin said of the beach trip.
“He got given his little kit and presented with a medal.
“He did flags and sprints, he took over and dad heard him telling the nippers how to do it – his little personality absolutely shone.”
Ms Irwin said after training the club hosted a disco.
“Everything exceeded what we thought it would be, the club was amazing, the kids and families,” she said.