Years later, after intensive chemotherapy treatment at Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital, he was granted a wish by the Make A Wish Foundation.

The organisation has a new branch in Port Macquarie, and with the help of those volunteers he was able to experience an epic football match in July this year.

Make A Wish flew Max and his family to Melbourne, put them up in a fancy hotel and gave them tickets to watch Argentina take on Brazil, two of the biggest teams in the sport.

Better than that, he got to stand within metres of one of his favourite players, Brazil’s Neymar.

“I was really excited when I found out I was getting a wish,” Max said.

“I like soccer and two of my favourite players were playing, but one of them pulled out.

“I got to watch them come off the bus and went out on the field. We sat pretty close in the front row. It was a once in a lifetime experience.”

Max’s mum, Kristy, said the wish was a reward for all of his bravery.

“He’s really well now. He’s fit and healthy, playing sport and doing well in school,” she said.

“At the time you don’t think about anything but getting well, so after he was healthy we applied for the wish and had to wait a few years for his favourite players to come to Australia.”

Mrs Robb said the volunteers from our local Make A Wish were fantastic.

“They presented him with his wish, they made the whole family feel special,” she said.

“It was just unreal. This isn’t something we would be able to do financially for Max, so we are so grateful.”

Port Macquarie’s Make A Wish branch are still looking for volunteers with many unwell children on the wish list to be granted wishes.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer you can contact local branch president Peta Watters on 0408 120 323.