A young Alder Hey patient got the surprise of his life when two purple wheelie bins were delivered free to his home - more than 100 miles away in Middlesborough.
Ten-year-old David Geelan has been in and out of the children's hospital since he was a baby.
His dad Andrew wrote to Liverpool City Council to see if he could buy a purple wheelie bin because David always associated the iconic item with getting well.
When the letter was intercepted by the Mayor's Office, it was decided to take two of the bins free of charge across the Pennines to the family home.
At birth, David had the condition Craniosynostosis, meaning his skull had joined together too early. He has been making the 100-mile trip to the hospital for reconstruction surgery and regular check-ups ever since.
David said: "We always have this challenge to try to find one of the bins. Whoever finds one first, wins."
His dad said the family had fallen in love with Liverpool and returned as often as they could. They have also become fundraising ambassadors for Alder Hey.
On each journey they make, the family know they have arrived in Liverpool when they see the city's iconic purple wheelie bins.
He said: "Liverpool is our second home and we try and get back there as often as we can.
"We always know we are in Liverpool when we see the purple bins, so I thought I would email to see if we could get one.
"I never dreamt the council would bring two up for me. David is thrilled and it just goes to show the kindness and generosity of the people of Liverpool, they are willing to go the extra mile for anyone."
David instantly took possession of the new bins and promptly named them Bella and Bertie - after Liverpool's famous Liver Birds.
