10/09/2026
We would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to Sunnybank RSL Sub Branch for a beautiful act of kindness yesterday.
While in Brisbane, one of our members visited the Sub Branch hoping to purchase an Army camouflage teddy bear for his five-year-old nephew, Lachlan, who is critically unwell at the Queensland Children’s Hospital after bravely facing years of serious health battles.
Our member was more than willing to pay the $75 cost of the bear. However, when the Sub Branch learned who it was for and heard about the heartbreaking circumstances facing Lachlan and his family, they refused to accept payment and gifted the bear to him instead.
It was an incredibly emotional moment, with tears all around in the Sub Branch office as the meaning behind this special gift touched everyone present. This unexpected act of compassion and generosity made an already meaningful bear even more special, and it is something Lachlan’s family will always remember.
Lachlan’s family recently received the devastating news that he will never be able to undergo another kidney transplant. With the forms of dialysis his body can tolerate becoming increasingly limited, his parents are now facing incredibly difficult discussions with his medical teams about his quality of life, comfort and end-of-life care.
Although Lachlan’s parents have not served, military service runs deeply through his family. His uncle, a member of our Sub-Branch, is an Army veteran, as is Lachlan’s grandfather, and their family has a proud history of military service spanning generations. This connection is why the Army bear—and the compassion behind it—means so much to them.
Lachlan is a little warrior, a fighter and one of the strongest little boys anyone could ever meet. This special bear will remain by his side, bringing him comfort and reminding his family that they are surrounded by the love and support of the wider veteran community.
We continue to hope and pray with everything we have for a miracle. However, if the heartbreaking day ever comes when Lachlan must leave us, we know this brave little warrior will be welcomed into Valhalla by the courageous warriors who went before him.
From one veteran to others, thank you to everyone at Sunnybank RSL for your compassion, generosity and kindness. Your beautiful gesture means more than words can express, and it will never be forgotten.
Please keep brave little Lachlan, his parents, his sisters and their entire family in your thoughts and prayers as they face this incredibly difficult and heartbreaking time. May they be surrounded by love, strength and comfort—and may we all continue to hope and pray for a miracle. 💙