A Moray toddler whose fight with cancer inspired a mammoth fundraising effort across the north-east has been chosen to front a national charity campaign in the lead-up to Christmas.
Eileidh Paterson will be the face of the Solving Kids’ Cancer group’s festive appeal, of which all proceeds will go towards fighting aggressive cancers like neuroblastoma, which the three-year-old was diagnosed with last May.
The charity hopes the festive image of the brave little girl will encourage families across Scotland to collect donations by arranging Christmas tea parties, and organising group photographs wearing Santa hats.
Eileidh, from Forres, endured months of intensive hospital procedures as she battled the devastating condition.
In Spring the toddler’s mum, Gail Paterson, launched a quest to secure £100,000 so that Eileidh could begin a pioneering drugs course in
America.
Selfless fundraisers from Moray and beyond dug deep into their pockets and arranged countless events, and the tally eventually reached a massive £125,000.
The youngster was given the all-clear towards the end of July and since then has travelled to the Helen DeVos Hospital in Michigan twice to receive medication designed to prevent the disease returning.
The aggressive cancer has a high rate of relapse and the pioneering treatment is believed to alleviate that risk.
Ms Paterson said she hopes Eileidh’s story can help inspire others to go that extra mile for other children in her position.
“If Eileidh’s face helps to spur people in Scotland into helping out, maybe because they know her story, then that is brilliant,” she said.
“This charity needs all the help it can get towards research, as finding a cure is vital.”
Eileidh’s proud mother said the tot was becoming particularly “boisterous” in the lead-up to Christmas.
“She is getting really excited for it, and keeps talking about how Santa is going to be coming soon,” she said.
Solving Kids’ Cancer’s campaign will run from Tuesday, December 8, until Christmas Eve.
Fundraisers should visit www.ncca-uk.org/santa-hat-selfie to receive a free tea party hosting pack.
The parcel will contain Santa hats, recipe ideas, promotional materials and a donation box.
The charity encourages everyone attending the gathering to huddle into frame for a photograph wearing the festive headwear.