When Martijn Wes left Holland as a carefree, young backpacker in 1996, he never dreamt a chance encounter with a local farmer would have such a profound impact on his life.

The friendly farmer, who offered him a place to stay and a job, was Tony Sergi. From the very start Tony welcomed Martijn into his family.

Mr Sergi, who is battling cancer, received the surprise of his life last week, when Martijn, his wife, Claudia, and their two children, Nick and Tara, arrived in Griffith.

The visit was organised through a Dutch reality TV show called All You Need is Love. It reunites family and friends separated over long distances.

Martijn's wife, Claudia, sent the television program a letter telling the family's story, officially entering them as potential contestants on the show. The TV show flew the Wes family to Australia last week.

It was Mr Sergi's daughter, Rina Cannon, who helped organise the surprise.

"Mum was up at the hospital with Dad when they were due to arrive, so I had to make up a story to get her to go home,” she said.

“As we were going down the driveway we could see the film crew and the host of the show waiting in the garden. Mum was worried at first, but then the host told her she’d won a competition. He explained Martijn was here and he stepped off the bus with his family. There were lots of hugs and some tears all caught on film for the show.

“Later, we went up to the hospital and Dad was just speechless – he couldn’t believe it.”

The Wes family know only too well the long journey the Sergi’s have ahead. Three years ago, their now six-year-old daughter was diagnosed with a rare form of liver cancer. She is one of only 25 people in the world who has this type of cancer and the only one to survive thanks to a transplant from her dad.

“My wife wrote a letter to enter the competition as a way of saying thanks to me for my donation,” Mr Wes said.

“Out of 4000 letters they received, ours was one of only six chosen. Tony and his family have always been so supportive – ringing us to make sure Tara was doing OK and we wanted to do something for them. I can’t really explain the strong connection we have. The Sergis are such generous, friendly people. Fifteen years ago I was a complete stranger, yet they treated me like family.

“It is tough to see Tony so sick because we know what is ahead for him, but it was beautiful to see how surprised he was. He is a special man.”