Fri Feb 23

Jodie & Soda rallied the community to make Alex the 'best firefighter ever'

Written by Tina Liptai

Adelaide has a new pint-size hero after Mix 102.3's Jodie & Soda rallied the community to make Alex the 'best firefighter ever'

Adelaide has a new pint-sized hero after eight-year-old Alex Tann, who suffers from brain cancer which has taken away his sight, miraculously rescued two of the city’s most high profile AFL footballers from a “burning building” in the CBD’s iconic Beehive Corner this afternoon.

The elaborate stunt was all part of Mix102.3’s Jodie & Soda’s ‘Make Alex’s Day’ campaign to help Alex realise his dream of becoming “the best firefighter ever” - Listen to Alex’s story here.

For the past four weeks, Alex’s story has captured the hearts of Mix 102.3 listeners with hundreds of donations, suggestions and support pouring in from people all over the city to help make Alex the ‘best firefighter ever’.

Alex was made the Honorary Chief Officer of the South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service and at midday when the fire alarm went he was sent out on an important rescue mission to save the historic Beehive Corner Building in Rundle Mall from being “engulfed in flames”.

Accompanied by a police escort as part of a convoy through the streets of Adelaide Alex arrived at the building, wearing a custom-made firefighters uniform, and bravely boarded a cherry picker to hose down the flames.

Cheered on by thousands of fans and onlookers, Alex reached the building only to find Port Adelaide AFL player Travis Boak and Adelaide’s AFLW star Erin Phillips trapped inside.

Alex rescued the footballers and once everyone was safely back on the ground, the little hero was thanked by the South Australian

Premier Jay Weatherill, Lord Mayor Martin Haese and SA Metropolitan Fire Service Chief Officer Greg Crossman and given an award for his bravery.

Alex was also presented with an award from Mix 102.3’s Jodie & Soda, written in braille, declaring him the “best firefighter ever”.

Alex’s proud father, Phil Tann, told The Advertiser the support they had received was “absolutely mind-blowing”.

He said the trip from the MFS headquarters on Wakefield St to Rundle Mall was “an emotional rollercoaster I didn’t expect”.

“I got so emotional seeing the sheer volume of people lining the streets for Alex,” he said.

“This is my little boy and these people are out here to support him. It really has been such a wild ride.”

Alex was diagnosed with brain cancer when he was just three-years-old suffering from multiple tumours in his brain and irreparable damage to his optic nerve which resulted in the loss of all vision. Listen to his story here.

Jodie & Soda rallied the community to make this a day to remember for little Alex, with the entire city of Adelaide getting behind this campaign to make his dream come true.

There are more than 400 children like Alex and his family that need support right now. Help the Childhood Cancer Association to provide ongoing and practical hands on support for children with cancer and their families by heading to www.donate.childhoodcancer.asn.au and make a donation today.

Photo credit: Meaghan Coles