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Escaping from Dunedin Hospital for a few hours to take part in the Special Rigs for Special Kids convoy was Christmas come early for Tyryn Duncan.
"I'm happy. This is cool," Tyryn (12) said.
See the slideshow: Special Rigs for Special Kids
Complications relating to his cerebral palsy put Tyryn in hospital on Friday and he had been undergoing tests since, so it was not until after 9am yesterday that they knew he would be able to attend what was his favourite event.
"It's like Christmas for him," his mother, Kerry, said.
After the event, it would be back to hospital for more treatment.
Family friend Mike Rogers was driving Tyryn around the convoy route, which started and finished at Dunedin's Edgar Centre.
Event organiser Greg Inch said the warm, sunny weather made it a "phenomenal" day, with people setting up their deck chairs, picnic baskets and even holding front yard barbecues as they watched the trucking convoy pass.
"It was just crazy."
This year, 224 trucks took part in the convoy, which ended with a barbecue attended by the children and their families.
"Families catch up with families they haven't seen for a year, families in similar situations - it's a big networking thing, so it's good," Mr Inch said.
There was a function for drivers last night which included an auction of sponsors' products to raise money for about eight charities, Mr Inch said.