Good News9-year-old with cystic fibrosis becomes ‘Iron Boy’ for the day
[Iron Boy takes on his arch-nemesis, Ultron/Facebook/NSW Police Force]
A 9-year-old Australian boy transformed into a superhero on Thursday, rescuing Sydney from dangerous villains and saving the day.
Normally, Domenic Pace is a regular school boy from the Bringelly neighbourhood in south-west Sydney, who just happens to be battling the life-threatening illness cystic fibrosis.
Domenic is a huge Iron Man fan, and so the children’s charity Make-A-Wish Australia teamed up with the New South Wales Police to turn him into “Iron Boy” for the day.
According to a post on the NSW Police Force Facebook page:
“Around 9am this morning, Domenic received an urgent call for assistance from senior police and was flown by police helicopter from a suburban Sydney park to a busy Operations Centre at Police Headquarters, Parramatta.
[Ultron has been defeated/Facebook/NSW Police Force]
“It was there he transformed into the superhero, ‘Iron Boy,’ and was tasked with rescuing ‘Make-A-Wish’ reporter, Hope Joy, from the clutches of villainous henchmen at a secret hideout.”
His “Iron Boy” suit is quite convincing — this is no throw-away halloween costume.
[Iron Boy, in all his glory/Facebook/NSW Police Force]
Once suited up, Domenic rushed across Sydney Harbour in an inflatable speed boat to rescue Joy. Then he hopped on a helicoptor and flew to the Sydney Opera House where he did battle with his arch enemy, Ultron. Naturally, “Iron Boy” was victorious.
As part of his special day, little Domenic was sent a special message via YouTube from Robert Downey Jr., who plays Tony Stark, Iron Man’s alter ego.
“I hear you’ve had quite the day,” says Downey Jr. “It’s hard work saving the world, isn’t it?”
As for Domenic, the BBC reports that he thought the helicopter ride was “awesome.”
At the end of the day, police commissioner Andrew Scipione presented Domenic with a special medal.
“On behalf of a grateful Police Force and indeed the people of Sydney, I would like to thank Domenic for his tremendous efforts today,” Commissioner Scipione said. “Not only has Domenic battled villains and saved his city, he’s stared down his illness and won the day.”
