The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Family of terminally ill boy ‘overwhelmed’ by community’s support
KIRRIEMUIR: Local fundraising tops £24,000 for brave Leo
The family of a terminally ill Angus boy have been humbled by the outpouring of support from their local community as they celebrated his fifth birthday at the weekend.
Although initially reluctant to tell people about their plight, Claire and Richard (Ricky) Davidson of Kirriemuir have been overwhelmed with the ongoing support as local fundraising topped £24,000.
A live music event organised by Ann and Peter Jamieson of the Gairie Inn in Kirriemuir on Saturday raised £11,400 for “Mr Leo”.
Six bands performed, free of charge, headlined by Tayside band Emerald Sunday who scaled Ben Nevis on September 7 to raise funds.
Leo was diagnosed as one of only 150 people in the world with the life-limiting genetic condition infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy in May.
He has a life expectancy of between five and 10 years, after inheriting the condition from his parents, who are both carriers of the gene in a one-in-amillion chance.
His parents initially made an appeal to help “make memories” with their son with a holiday to Disney World in Florida top of their wish list.
On Saturday the couple attended the major fundraiser at the Gairie.
Publican Ann Jamieson said: “We are very pleased to announce that, after Saturday’s fundraiser and Emerald Sunday’s Ben Nevis fundraiser, the amount we have raised is around £11,400 with more still to come in.
“I’m totally gobsmacked and so very proud of everyone involved in making this happen.”
The live sessions included music from Run for Cover, Sin City, Ganked, Kinell, Katy Nicol, The Ruckus and Emerald Sunday.
Thanking everyone who supported Saturday’s event, Claire said: “It’s bonkers, it is just amazing, we are overwhelmed.
“Thank-you just doesn’t do it justice. “We were there all day, the atmosphere was amazing.
“We are definitely going to Florida, it will happen.”
Claire said they will also now be able to purchase a special hospital bed and chair for Leo, who will be getting a feeding tube fitted into his stomach.
Thank-you just doesn’t do it justice.
CLAIRE DAVIDSON