SUPERCALLUM’S SUPER DAY, October 14: The blue and red lights of the firetruck flashed as Supercallum arrived to save the day at the launch of the first playground at Sunbury Fields. Dressed in his best superhero costume and flashing his cheeky smile, Callum helped open the playground at his new home – and even got a chance to show his superhuman strength with the firehose.

At first glance, Callum is no different from the rest of the kids playing on the new play equipment or enjoying the sausage sizzle. He lives at home with his mum, dad and older brother and sister; barracks for Carlton; and was recently awarded pupil of the week at Killara Primary School.

But after being diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer at the age of five, Callum found his superpowers: inner strength and heroic courage. Supercallum’s kryptonite is neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer that causes tumours to form in nerve cells. It affects 1 in 100,000 children.

“In 2014 he was diagnosed as stage four,” explains Callum’s mum, Clare, on his GoFundMe page. “The fast-growing cancer had spread throughout his body, and it took two years of intensive chemotherapy to kick cancers’ butt,” she writes.

Unfortunately, in December 2016, scans showed the cancer was back and treatment options were limited. Although he’s now on a new course of treatment, the family’s main objective is to support Callum’s needs and give him the best life they can.

And that’s where Supercallum’s Super Day came into play.

To celebrate the opening of the first playground near the family’s home in Sunbury Fields, Town Square and Fraser’s property worked together to create a special fun day just for Callum. To raise awareness of the day, Town Square commissioned Jacky Winter illustrator Chris Whal to turn Callum into his very own cancer-fighting superhero: Supercallum.

Armed with his characteristic smile, a red, white and blue costume and a red kite to highlight the support from the Redkite charity, Supercallum appeared in local press and radio to encourage the community to come along and support a great cause.

More than 250 members of the local community attended, helping to raise $12,117.15 for the Redkite charity, who have supported Callum’s cancer journey.

With help from the Sunbury Country Fire Association, the local Sunbury Lions Football Club and the Fox FM Street Team, the day was a success for Supercallum and his friends, who swooped in to ensure the play equipment was up to scratch.

If you’d like to help support Callum and his family in this difficult time, head over to his GoFundMe page. Or to follow his journey, take a look at his very own Facebook page for regular updates.