'Iron Boy, we need your help': Sydney boy becomes superhero to save a damsel in distress
Dressed in a red Iron Man suit before jumping into a convoy on a mission to save a damsel in distress, nine-year-old Domenic has had his dream of becoming a superhero come to life.
Little Domenic, who suffers from cystic fibrosis, was playing near his home in Sydney’s south-west when a police helicopter landed nearby and asked for his assistance in saving TV reporter Hope Joy.
He was quickly whisked away to a ‘top secret’ operations room in Parramatta’s state crime command and transformed into his favourite superhero, Iron Man.
It was there that Domenic was briefed by NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione that Hope Joy, a fictional reporter, had been kidnapped and was being held in the evil clutches of Ultron on Sydney Harbour .
"Officers have confirmed that Clark Island has been over taken by Ultron’s henchmen and Hope Joy is being held captive," said Police Commissioner Scipione told Domenic via video message.
"If I could make one wish it would be for you to help us Iron Boy."
From that moment, celebrities from around the world and around the country got behind Iron Boy and his mission to save Sydney city.
Sent a very special boy on a top secret mission today. Go get ‘em, Domenic! #IronBoyAU @MakeAWishAust
— Robert Downey Jr (@RobertDowneyJr) February 11, 2016
Go, Dom! #IronBoyAU pic.twitter.com/Z7XifiPF7U
— Liam Hemsworth (@LiamHemsworth) February 11, 2016
Best of luck to #IronBoyAU today! From one #IronMan to another you’ve got this! @garethwiddop @MakeAWishAust pic.twitter.com/jAN6GRCaTy
— The Dragons (@NRL_Dragons) February 11, 2016
Ultron must be defeated. Iron Boy - you’ve got this. The city is counting on you. #IronBoyAU
— Mike Baird (@mikebairdMP) February 11, 2016
Walking through the doors of the Parramatta police headquarters, Domenic had a message for his foe:
"I am ready to get down to business," he said, shaking hands with Assistant Commissioner Mal Lanyon on the way.
And sure enough, the mini Iron Man was able to track down Hope Joy and valiantly rescue her from the evil Ultron, who had tied her to a tree.
"On behalf of a grateful NSW Police Force and indeed the people of Sydney, I would lie to thanks Domenic for his tremendous efforts today," Commissioner Scipione said on Thursday.
"It can't be easy dealing with an illness like his and we feel privileged to be able to work with Make-A-Wish Australia to ensure his wish to be a famous superher came true," he added.
Well done #IronBoyAU you found Hope Joy! @nswpolice pic.twitter.com/G6gfF6By6I
— Make-A-WishAustralia (@MakeAWishAust) February 11, 2016
Wow! #IronBoyAU defeated the henchmen! @nswpolice pic.twitter.com/mzqnxScm4A
— Make-A-WishAustralia (@MakeAWishAust) February 11, 2016
One proud superhero. One proud commissioner @7NewsSydney @Y7News #IronBoyAU pic.twitter.com/EOhukhfvR7
— Damien Smith (@DamienSmith_7) February 11, 2016
#IronBoyAU you're the hero we needed! The whole of Australia is behind you 💪 pic.twitter.com/vYGRBHyGPX
— AUS Olympic Team (@AUSOlympicTeam) February 11, 2016
All in a day's work for this Super Hero! Thank you #IronBoyAU you saved Hope Joy! @nswpolice pic.twitter.com/gE0EeiZhT2
— Make-A-WishAustralia (@MakeAWishAust) February 11, 2016
Thank you #IronBoyAU for helping save Sydney today. If you need a sidekick, I'm in! @MakeAWishAust
— Rove McManus (@Rove) February 11, 2016
Our city is an ever better place now thanks to #IronBoyAU! Go get 'em! #ProudlySydney pic.twitter.com/peYNXDttty
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) February 11, 2016
We can all sleep soundly tonight, knowing that #IronBoyAU is watching over us. Thanks @MakeAWishAust !
— AFP National Media (@AFPmedia) February 11, 2016
Thank you #IronBoyAu for keeping us safe, go get 'em! pic.twitter.com/pjlrYhnUkC
— NRL Bulldogs (@NRL_Bulldogs) February 11, 2016
Months and months of planning from the Make-A-Wish Foundation in collaboration with NSW Police was involved in organising the big day, which parallels the wish granted to a young San Francisco boy who became Bat Kid in 2013.
According to the foundation, little Domenic said if could possess any super power, he would possess the power "to heal.
"[Domenic] was a very caring child, more interested in helping children and other people rather than playing with toys," his mother said in a video posted on the foundation's website.
“He always wanted to know what was going on around him in the world, how he could help others.
“I guess the final straw was when he just sat up at the dinner table and said ‘I am Iron Boy’ and we pretty much had to go with it from then.”