Jodi Tomalin has been through most in the last year than most after being diagnosed with cancer aged four.
The youngster, from Bangor, was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare cancerous tumour which was in the liver.
And through numerous poorly days, chemotherapy rounds and infections, Jodi could always brighten up a room with his beautiful smile.
Read more: NI mum's pride at brave son who was diagnosed with cancer aged four
That smile and bravery, has encouraged friends, family and even strangers, to donate to the family's cause "Jodi's Giants" which is giving back to charities who helped the Tomalin family during their darkest days.
Jodi's parents Jeremy and Lisa say they have been blown away by the support as their fundraiser sits at more than £35,000.
This weekend, their friends Robert and Matt, will take part in a Guinness World Record attempt where they'll be sailing a hydrofoiling dingy (Waszp) from Ballyholme Yacht Club to Portpatrick and back again - something that has never been done before.
Speaking to Belfast Live, Jodi's parents said: "Only Bob and Matt could come up with this idea! It will be some laugh watching how wet they get. We can't wait.
"Obviously we were delighted when we first heard that they wanted to take the challenge on but probably more fear for them. Fun fear though because they will have support.
"Their families too, they have been behind this too - both Bob and Matt have incredible wives, Melissa and Amanda, backing them too, and we just want to thank them too because they are just brilliant, doing things behind the scenes that you wouldn't see.
"We are excited for them and there isn't two better guys to take this on and help us raise money for the charities who helped us.
"Since the day of Jodi's diagnosis, we have had so much support from NI Cancer Fund for Children, Angel Wishes and Children's Cancer Unit. They checked in on us and made sure that we had everything we needed.
"They just came and supported us and listened to us - if we needed help, they were there and we just want to give back.
"To those people who have donated, we are in tears all the time about how people have sponsored us. We are so grateful."
Brother in-laws Matt McGovern and Robert Espie hope to set sail this weekend and say they are keeping a close on on the weather forecast.
Robert said: Our little hero Jodi has been through more than most in 2021, as have his parents Jeremy and Lisa. Cancer is such a cruel disease, often striking with no cause or warning.
"Being diagnosed in March 2021, Jodi is soon approaching a year since this date. His parents wanted to support three local charities in Northern Ireland whom, over this difficult time, have provided unimaginable support.
"To help them with this, I’ve come up with a bonkers plan of trying to sail a hydrofoiling dinghy (Waszp) across the Irish Sea and back.
"I’ve roped in my brother in law Matt to accompany me in his Waszp. We hope to complete this without the need for any outside assistance, sailing from Ballyholme Bay in Northern Ireland to Portpatrick, Scotland and back.
"A trip like this has never been attempted in a hydrofoiling dinghy and I’ve no doubt it will be a big challenge."
Matt told Belfast Live that they have all grown up together as friends and to see what Jodi and his family went through, was difficult.
"We can't really wrap out head around how Jodi's parents Lisa and Jeremy have coped," he said.
"The bit that brings it home is that we have all been friends for such a long time and now we have our own children.
"It is hard-hitting and couldn't believe what they had to go through and even today, what they are doing to bring real positive change to these amazing charities.
"I was chatting to Bob one night on the phone and we said we had to find the most extreme thing to do, to raise money. He actually joked about trying this out, and that joke has just became reality now.
"These types of boats we are doing it in, are really designed for flat-water, short trip races and that's the tricky thing.
"Bob has won a lot of National titles and I am a former Olympian for Team Ireland, and we have been practising.
"We'll probably narrow times down on Wednesday when we get a better forecast for weather. If wind conditions are right, we could probably do it in four hours but the reality is, it could also take a lot longer. We'll see!"
Please follow this link to donate to their cause, or for more information on Jodi's Giants, follow their page here.
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