Kind strangers help fill Tom’s bucket list
A GOLD Coast teenager with terminal cancer will make the most of his remaining time after generous donors stepped up to fulfil his bucket list of thrill-seeking activities.
Elanora teenager Tom Glendenning’s second diagnosis of Ewing’s sarcoma, a year after reaching remission from his first diagnosis, saw oncologists give him 12-18 months to live.
The 19-year-old set about making a list of things he wanted to do in his lifetime and, after being moved by his story, business owners at home and beyond have come forward to help.
And with more than $125,000 also raised online, almost every item on Mr Glendenning’s list will be fulfilled.
One local businessman, who did not wish to be named, has offered up a superyacht and a crew that will take Mr Glendenning and his family to the reef for a twoday deep-sea fishing voyage.
The businessman then hit the phones and called in favours from contacts in Hamilton Island, securing him a holiday there thanks to Club Wyndham, complete with a round of golf at the “posh course”, as requested, and a scuba dive adventure from Reef Safari.
Offers to help have also poured in from New Zealand – where the teen has longed to travel.
While across the ditch, Mr Glendenning can enjoy Queenstown’s Nevis Arc swing, visit hot springs, enjoy a ski package, bungee jump and jet boat ride after tourism operators, including AJ Hackett, NZ Ski and Shotover Jet, stepped up to donate.
Accommodation in the newly-built six-star boutique Carlin Hotel in Queenstown has also been offered.
Back on the Gold Coast, another CEO of a major Gold Coast organisation will take him for a round of golf at exclusive Sanctuary Cove.
Mr Glendenning’s list also included a “party on a yacht”, and when the Bulletin phoned luxury charter operator YOT Club, owners Amanda and David Fisher were already on the case.
The company has offered “a super yacht party to remember” on its 80ft luxury YOT Blue vessel, which is licensed for up to 50 guests.
“I have two children of my own, aged 18 and 20,” Mr Fisher said.
“As a parent, it is simply a very difficult and emotional situation to comprehend what Tom and his family are dealing with.
“Our business is about creating fun and memorable experiences. It’s a very small gesture we hope can make a big difference to Tom.”
A Go Fund Me created by his single mum, Kelly Wilkinson, has also raised more than $122,000, more than twice its $60,000 goal, to help Mr Glendenning live his dreams.
The top donation so far is $25,500 from Peggy Flannery, wife of billionaire mining rich-lister Brian Flannery.
Ms Wilkinson said the level of support her family had received had blown them away.
“I am shocked and completely overwhelmed with the generosity of the community and strangers to donate and give kind supportive words of support and encouragement.
“It has taken us by surprise just how many people are willing to donate and help us achieve Thomas’s dream.
“On behalf of our family, I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has donated so Thomas can tick off his bucket list.”
Ms Wilkson thanked staff of the Queensland Children’s Hospital and Gold Coast University Hospital, as well as the media for sharing her son’s story.
“I guess it’s a big distraction from what we are about to face,” she said.
“I know I am a lucky parent to have this time left as many don’t get this time.
“Our family has been dealt a bad hand and I cannot thank everyone enough for their support.”
OUR BUSINESS IS ABOUT CREATING FUN AND MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES. IT’S A VERY SMALL GESTURE WE HOPE CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE TO TOM
YOT CLUB OWNER DAVID FISHER