How eight-year-old Alex saved Adelaide, and captured our hearts, as he became the ‘best firefighter ever’ today
THE cheers were deafening as South Australians rallied in their thousands to watch one special little boy make history in Rundle Mall on Friday.
SA News
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THE cheers were deafening as South Australians rallied in their thousands to watch one special little boy make history in Rundle Mall on Friday.
All eyes were on eight-year-old Alex Tann as he realised his dream of becoming the “best firefighter ever”, saving the city — and two of SA’s beloved athletes — in the process.
The event was spearheaded by Mix 102.3’s Mark Soderstrom and Jodie Oddy to make a dream come true for the youngster, who has battled brain cancer for the past five years, and raise funds for Childhood Cancer Association.
The excitement reached fever pitch when Alex, whose cancer has left him permanently blind, roared into the shopping precinct aboard one of SA Metropolitan Fire Service’s bright red fire trucks.
But there was no time to address his hordes of adoring fans — after all, the building on Beehive Corner was “on fire” with Port Adelaide Football Club captain Travis Boak and Adelaide Football Club’s Erin Phillips trapped inside.
In the MFS-led simulation, smoke billowed out of a window as Alex, who wore a custom-made firefighters uniform, was lifted metres into the air in a rescue cage to save the stars.
Although it was a high-pressure situation, Boak said his rescuer did a great job.
“I’m actually pretty scared of heights so I was a little bit nervous but it was amazing,” he said.
“The turnout has been incredible ... and as soon as I saw Alex, he was pumped.
“I said, ‘You’re the best firefighter going around’. He looks super cute in his little outfit.”
It all culminated in a special presentation at which Alex was presented a number of awards.
But it turns out being a hero is hungry work.
The youngster had the crowd laughing when he said he wanted a hotdog, also declaring: “I want to take my boots off”.
MFS chief officer Greg Crossman, who presented Alex with a chief officer’s badge and trophy, said he was happy to hand over his title to Alex for the day.
“He was amazing — not just the best firefighter ever, I think he’s the best chief officer ever,” he said.
Premier Jay Weatherill, there to present a cheque for $20,000 to the Childhood Cancer Association, said Alex was “truly a great firefighter”.
“I think today we have seen bravery the likes of which we are never likely to see in Adelaide ever again,” he said.
Lord Mayor Martin Haese also presented the young star with a medal — the City of Adelaide Official Crest — which he said they “don’t give out very often”.
He said recipients needed to demonstrate “bravery and courage”.
“I think he has probably got that in absolute spades,” he said.
There was barely a dry eye in Rundle Mall when Alex went on to read out a plaque from Mix 102.3, written in braille, declaring him the “best firefighter ever”.
His proud father, Phil Tann, said the support they had received was “absolutely mind-blowing”.
He said the trip from the MFS headquarters on Wakefield St to Rundle Mall was “an emotional rollercoaster I didn’t expect”.
“I got so emotional seeing the sheer volume of people lining the streets for Alex,” he said.
“This is my little boy and these people are out here to support him. It really has been such a wild ride.”
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