Father Bob Maguire's
'Hopemobile' will be back on the road in time to feed the poor this
Christmas, thanks to a Melbourne teenager's selfless act, reports The Herald Sun. Sammy Lawson, 15, was at the Royal Children's Hospital undergoing a two-stage spinal fusion operation when he spotted Father Bob's call-out on Twitter.
'I said to myself: "I'm not going to lie around here thinking 'poor me, I'm in pain, no, I'm going to try and help out a friend".'
The 2001 Ford van had busted its engine, bringing the former South Melbourne parish priest's operation to a grinding halt.
Putting his own pain aside, Sammy - a devout Catholic - sprang into action, contacting his uncle Tim at Ford Australia.
The company agreed to supply free parts, while its top repairer fixed the van for free.
The Hopemobile got a new engine, clutch and flywheel assembly, radiator hosing and a long-overdue service, including oil and filter change and coolant.
'The list of parts is as long as your arm,' said Melbourne City Ford Service Manager Simon Ulrich, who estimated the retail cost of the service at $15,000, with 19 hours' manual labour.
Sammy said his was only a 'small act.'