Bid: Luke (left), Zak (back) and Phil Reilly (right) gather around their friend Gerry Tye (centre, with sons Kian and Talin) ahead of the world record attempt. Picture: Chris Lane
IT WAS just over a month ago that Gerry Tye, 47, of Caringbah, got the shocking news that his son Talin, 5, had an inoperable brain tumour.
Despite the devastating blow, Mr Tye, his family, and friends, are doing everything they can to make life as positive as possible for the boy.
Talin knows something is not right in his brain and is documenting life on a photographic blog he asked his father to create. "I'm taking a realist's view, but while there is life, there is life," Mr Tye said.
"I will leave no stone unturned. Talin is my buddy. I'd give anything to see him cured."
Family friend Phil Reilly, 53, of Oyster Bay, wants to raise money for the family by helping break the Guinness world record for the most number of people twirling fire sticks in unison.
At least 117 people are needed to break the record, which requires participants to twirl fire sticks for five minutes.
Participants do not need any previous fire-twirling experience and the equipment is being provided by Mr Reilly. .
"I am just trying to help. We want to make some money for the charity in Talin's name to help out his family," Mr Reilly said.
Mr Tye said Talin's co-operation and resilience had amazed staff at Sydney Children's Hospital where he was treated.
"The artwork, photographs, everything he has done [on the blog] has been through the eyes of a child," Mr Tye said.
Details: Email:philreilly14@gmail.com or donations: talinsworld.org