Fold-out fire truck for children at Starship a ‘real hit'
24 March 2022
In December 2020, Michelle and Warrick Wood received the devastating news that their three-year old son Frankie had been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive brain cancer. Sadly, Frankie passed away in April 2021.
Michelle said Frankie loved Fireman Sam, Paw Patrol and anything relating to fire trucks.
“After Frankie lost his ability to walk, he was given a ride on fire truck that he'd cruise around Riverhead on and that brought him, and us, so much joy.”
To help other families going through really tough times, Michelle and Warrick founded ‘Frankie to the Rescue’ which provides activity packs to children at Auckland’s Starship Hospital and also supports families who have children receiving palliative care.
“Soon after setting up Frankie to the Rescue, we had the idea to reach out to Fire and Emergency as we felt it was a great fit.
“With their support, we've been able to put some really cool products in the children's activity packs so far – cardboard fold out fire trucks, post cards to colour in and stickers. We are working with them now on some more fire safety products that can go in the packs and are excited to continue collaborating.”
The fold-out fire truck was designed by Tūrangi rural firefighter Tommi Joyce. It was pure chance that Tommi had designed the fold-out and sent it to the marketing team at NHQ to get approval to use it for local children. The team asked if they could include it in the activity packs and, after a few tweaks including adding “Frankie to the rescue”, that’s what happened.
Tommi said he was humbled that the trucks were used for the project.
“I never in a million years would have thought that me playing around on photoshop would ever help kids at Starship hospital!”
Michelle said the feedback from Starship after the first delivery had been ‘fantastic’.
“The fold out fire trucks and colouring in post cards have been a real hit. We're planning another delivery in the next little while to Starship and one to Christchurch Hospital.”
A Give a Little page has been set up and people can search @frankiesrescuecrew on Facebook and Instagram for more information on Frankie to the Rescue.
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