A Moray mum whose daughter’s Christmas was made magical by a trip to Disneyland Paris has rallied support for the charity which arranged the venture.
Four-year-old Eileidh Paterson is battling cancer for the second time, but was overjoyed after going to France to meet some of her favourite movie characters.
The cost of the trip was covered by the Matt’s Mission organisation, which aims to put smiles on the faces of children who have experienced tough times.
Eileidh’s mum, Gail Paterson, last night called for people to donate to the charity, so that other children who have undergone hardships similar to her daughter can enjoy the possibility of a break from their troubles.
Ms Paterson explained that some of the youngsters who were meant to travel abroad alongside Eileidh and her sister Cerys had been too ill to make the journey.
She said the question of whether they would be able to go next year instead would depend wholly on donations.
The Forres mum added: “I’ve seen firsthand the huge difference that can make; it was the most active I had seen Eileidh in so long and she absolutely loved it.
“But there was another little girl who was supposed to be going with her, and her doctors wouldn’t let her.
“Unfortunately, as the charity deals with seriously ill children, things can often fall through at the last minute.
“But whether they can go next year is entirely dependent on the charity having enough money.”
Matt Denning, the founder of Matt’s Missions, has dedicated himself to fundraising throughout the year to help make sickly children happy and also takes youngsters on festive breaks to Lapland.
Ms Paterson added: “He certainly puts the hours in, but the more people that back the charity, the more children he can help.
“We’ve seen how much difference small donations can make when they all add up.”
Ms Paterson amassed more than £125,000 for her daughter to embark on trips to America for medication to prevent her cancer returning after getting the all-clear in the summer of 2015.
The sessions only came to an end late last spring, when doctors revealed that Eileidh’s aggressive cancer, neuroblastoma, had returned.
People can donate to Matt’s Mission at www.goldengiving.com/fundraising/fundsfor2017wishes.
