Littlest crime fighter gets his big day out
Two events have dominated headlines in New Zealand this week – the earthquake, and what Bishop Brian Tamaki had to say about sexual sins to his congregation last Sunday (more than 12 hours before the quake took place).
Call me old-fashioned, but I genuinely don’t believe there’s anything particularly remarkable about a pastor preaching to his flock about the interpretations of biblical scripture.
Now that doesn’t mean I agree with Brian on this one. In fact, quite the contrary. As an openly gay man from a minority background who’s faced his own fair share of prejudice and vilification (often from other quarters of the LGBTQ community), I can see why people are pretty fired up.
But if I thought he actually had some deep and burning hatred for gay people, well, we wouldn’t be friends.
I have been in contact with Brian a number of times throughout the week, and he is aware that I disagree with him. However, we respect each other enough to hold our own opinions without getting nasty about it.
I get why people are furious with Brian. Every big news story has to have a villain.
And, to be fair, it’s pretty hard to reconcile a modern understanding of plate tectonics with what he is reported to have said on Sunday.
But nobody talks about Destiny’s good work out there in the community, such as its youth programmes and its sterling work against domestic and family violence. Even the Church’s detractors frequently recognise that it has been a force for good.
Focusing only on the partial contents of one sermon, while outright ignoring the positives, is not fair to their church. A young boy has turned crime fighter in a spectacular day out with Batman.
Jayden Nancarrow, who has a progressive brain tumour, donned the costume of the Caped Crusader’s trusty sidekick Robin to eradicate crime on Auckland’s North Shore.
The duo caught The Joker midheist, saved Warriors players Jazz Tevaga and Junior Pouga and stopped pirates from making a ship’s captain walk the plank.
Seven-year-old Jayden, from Orewa in north Auckland, also got to ride in Batman’s Ferrari 458 Batmobile and on an inflatable rescue boat alongside Orewa Surf Club lifesavers.
Jayden’s grandmother Pauline Russell-Green said it was a ‘‘pretty awesome’’ day and very emotional for the family.
‘‘’Spectacular’ was one of the words [Jayden] used. Just to be Robin and to be doing what he did was the best day ever for him,’’ she said.
‘‘We’ll always remember it.’’
As well the treasure tumour, and Jayden is blind in his right eye and has poor vision in the other. His coordination and balance are also impaired.
His daily life revolves around part-time schooling with a teacher aide and lots of sleeping.
He loves fast cars and rugby league, especially the Warriors, and has long Robin.
Financial company One50 Group stepped up to the plate to organise the event – the second it has organised for children suffering from illnesses and disabilities.
Company partner Josh Farry said Jayden was a worthy recipient. held a dream to become Just to be Robin and to be doing what he did was the best day ever for him.
He had been dealt a ‘‘pretty tough blow’’ and deserved an ‘‘epic day out’’, he said.
Russell-Green said she was blown away by the amount of effort put into the day.
‘‘I didn’t think they’d ever be able to put together a dream like this, but they did – it was way beyond what we expected.
‘‘Jayden just excelled – we were so proud of him, because he’s only a little guy, [that he] handled all that.’’
Russell-Green said Jayden was unable to pick his favourite part of the event.
‘‘He just wanted again."
One50 Group owner Greg Munt donned the Batsuit for the occasion and escorted Jayden out on the waves on a Gibbs quadski.
Munt said he was ‘‘pretty stoked’’ to do it all over with the way the day came together, ‘‘especially because there were so many different bits in play’’.
Every One50 Group employee took part in the event, as did members of the police who helped to handcuff The Joker, he said.
Prime Minister John Key taped a congratulatory message for Jayden and about 100 motorbike riders turned out to support the youngster on his quest.
Jayden was also greeted beachside by members of the public waving signs and cheering.
‘‘While we were on our way to lunch, Jayden said to me, ‘I don’t think this day could get any better’,’’ Munt said.
The company was setting up a website portal, One50 Dream Days, and hoped to organise 150 similar events for other deserving children.
Munt said the website would connect candidates from organisations like Heart Kids and Kidney Kids with people and businesses who wanted to host ‘dream days’ for them.
‘‘We want people to put up their hand and organise a day ... there’s clearly thousands of kids out there who deserve these days.’’