A waste depot has named one of their trucks ‘Josiah’, after a five-year-old cancer survivor who is obsessed with trains and bin lorries.
Josiah, from Woodstock, was thrilled when a bin lorry with his name on the front was presented to him by West Oxfordshire District Council.
The Woods family travelled to the WODC Waste Depot where Josiah’s bin lorry was unveiled – the same one that will travel past his house on its weekly route.
The family then accompanied Josiah as he hitched a ride in his bin lorry, with Operations Manager Michael Mennie behind the wheel.
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Josiah's two-year-old brother Henry and four-year-old sister Beatrice shared in the excitement, and the day ended with a bin lorry quiz, which allowed Josiah to show-off his extensive bin lorry knowledge.
Josiah – who was just five years old at the time – was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, Lymphocyte Predominant Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma (LPNHL) in February 2022 and has endured intense chemotherapy.
"The fact the cancer was rare made it even worse," said mum Emma.
"Only 200 people are diagnosed with LPNHL each year. We were in the process of moving to Australia for Josiah’s dad’s work, which had to stop due to Josiah’s diagnosis."
Due to the severity of Josiah’s condition, the family were invited to choose a wish from Make-A-Wish UK, a charity in the UK which grants life-changing wishes to critically ill children.
Josiah wished for a freight train drive.
In September Josiah and family travelled to the Freightliner Maritime Terminal in Southampton where they were welcomed by G&W Freightliner.
The family then enjoyed a tour of the grounds before the unveiling of Josiah’s freight train, which was fittingly named 'Josiah’s Wish' in his honour.
The locomotive was then shunted up and down the tracks by Josiah, coming along for the ride.
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Emma said: "Josiah has been obsessed with trains, freight trains and bin lorries for a very long time.
"He’s got a lot of Lego, including freight trains, which was really good for him when he was in hospital. So it all started from there really!
"His wish was an incredible way to say well done."
The charity has now launched its Christmas Appeal. Please visit https://www.make-a-wish.org.uk/christmas-2022/ to donate now.
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This story was written by Miranda Norris, she joined the team in 2021 and covers news across Oxfordshire as well as news from Witney.
Get in touch with her by emailing: Miranda.Norris@newsquest.co.uk. Or find her on Twitter: @Mirandajnorris
Profile: Miranda Norris Journalists news from the Oxford Mail
Profile: Miranda Norris Journalists news from the Oxford Mail
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