Inspiring and special, that's Blake
He is the little boy who has inspired strangers from across Perth and prompted a string of random acts of kindness.
Francine Leach always knew there was something special about her six-year-old Blake Dingsdale, but she never expected hundreds of others would pick up on it, too.
"All of these people are coming out of the woodwork and whatever time is left, they are making it special," she said.
"I can't say that I'm not sad about it because I am sad. I am losing my child. But his happiness is our happiness, his smile brings smiles to us and his dreams are our dreams."
Blake was diagnosed with a brain tumour in April 2010 when he was three.
To keep loved ones informed about his treatment, Ms Leach started regularly documenting his battle with cancer on the Facebook page Wishes for Blake.
The page has drawn the attention of more than 1670 people and become something of a lifeline for the single mother.
People around the world have experienced the ups and downs of Blake's treatment, remission and relapse through Ms Leach's words and photos.
It has led to hundreds of messages of support and some incredible gestures from strangers who simply want to make Blake smile.
Over the past few weeks alone, Blake has been treated to a boat ride with his local water police and a helicopter tour, thanks to a police officer who came across the page.
On Tuesday, Reading Cinemas in Mandurah, Mandurah Cruises and Simmo's Ice Creamery banded together to organise a VIP day out for Blake and his little brother Christian.
Ms Leach said she found writing about her son therapeutic and could not believe it had led to such generosity from complete strangers.
"These are the smiles that I can't provide for him because there is no way in the world I would be able to provide him with a helicopter ride," she said. "All of these people have grown to know Blake and to love Blake and that in itself makes me really, really happy."
Last month, a post-radiation MRI revealed Blake was fighting three new tumours.
Ms Leach was told the cancer was taking over and could no longer be controlled.
One of the many people who have been touched by Blake's story is Suzanne Finnegan, who organised a trip to Adventure World for the family after a chance meeting last year.
"I was down at the shops having a coffee and I recognised Blake from Facebook so I stopped his mum and gave her a hug," she said. "I said, 'It's so nice to meet you Blake' and he took my hand and kissed it and said, 'And it was lovely to meet you as well'."
A garage sale to raise money for Blake will be held outside Silver Chain's Peel Service Centre in Greenfields from 8am on February 15.
The event will include a raffle and sausage sizzle, with all of the money raised going towards making the time Blake has left as enjoyable as possible.
