But when he was diagnosed with Ependymoma in 2015, a condition which causes tumours of his spine, those dreams seemed further out of reach than ever before.

Enter Make-A-Wish Australia, who soon began corralling some of the nation's finest for what came to be known as 'Operation Kingsman'.

The operation, which enlisted the help of The Royal Australian Navy, the Australian Federal Police and Hungry Jacks, took Daniel across seas and above towns, from Canberra to New South Wales on an adventure that most boys his age could only dream of.

For 18 months Daniel trained to prepare for the mission, with visits from Navy personnel with a fitness program to help with his strength leading to the day. He was also given a 'strong box' with various recipes from a paediatric nutritionist.

On his 'wish day' he was escorted by police from Canberra airport to his own helicopter, where he flew above the Capital to HMAS Creswell, in Jervis Bay. Spending the night in the establishment's cabins, he then boarded the HMAS Hobart and executed his mission abroad the ship.

Daniel's mother, Cheryl, said his wish adventure was something that brought light into those dark days.

"At times when things are tough, we talk and dream about the wish day to bring a bit of light into what has been a very dark tunnel," she said.

Chief Executive Officer of Make-A-Wish, Jo Salisbury, said bringing wishes to life like Daniel's was a part of the whole 'wish journey', something that can be very rewarding.

"It's not just a gift, not just a moment in time; it's a journey... the wish journey, that's all the power of it.

"Seeing the positive effect of his wish on Daniel's recovery is hugely rewarding, and is what makes the wish experience so unique… Make-A-Wish aims to give children the strength and resilience to fight their illness, by re-igniting their sense of hope and imagination," Salisbury said.

Cheryl said the smile that was once on Daniel's face had been taken away since his diagnoses, but the past experience brought it right back.

"Every parent just wants to see their child healthy and happy and when that gets taken away, it can be very, very difficult," she said.

"Dan has a magnificent smile that could light up the room and it's been missing for a very long time, and to see that smile back is amazing."

Make-A-Wish has granted more than 8,000 wishes over more than 30 years to children with life-threatening diseases.