An internet appeal for a cancer-stricken Moray youngster has skyrocketed after her “wedding” became a global phenomenon.
Five-year-old Eileidh Paterson and Harrison Grier, six, were declared “best friends forever” during a Disney-inspired celebration on Sunday.
The “fairytale wedding” was the top item on Eileidh’s bucket list, which was created after doctors advised that her condition is terminal.
The event, at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, has subsequently captured the imagination of people across the globe.
Well-wishers from as far afield as Australia, America and Japan have offered their congratulations in recent days.
And the surge in interest has boosted the online collection aimed at helping the Forres youngster complete her bucket list.
The tally was hovering around £7,000 before the weekend, but by last night had soared to about £9,500.
Eileidh’s mum, Gail Paterson, said she was “amazed” by how the event had “completely snowballed”.
IN FULL: The speech a Moray mum wrote for her terminally ill daughter’s fairytale wedding
Ms Paterson has compiled a vast array of news reports from all over the world documenting her daughter’s big day.
Eileidh’s “wedding” even caught the eye of celebrity Danielle Lloyd, with the former model saying the event had “touched” her.
She added: “It made me feel so upset, but what a lovely thing to do.
“Just makes you realise how lucky we are, my heart goes out to this little girl and her family.”
The online tally could increase further in the coming days, with proceeds from the sale of a DVD of the wedding going towards it.
As well as the dream “wedding”, Eileidh has also ticked off an ambition to swim for the first time since she fell ill from her bucket list.
Last month, the plucky youngster donned a specially made “dry-suit” so that she could take a dip without the water affecting her Hickman line.
The occasion was made even more special by some costumed mermaids who joined her in the pool.
Ms Paterson explained that the family would prefer not to make any overly ambitious plans for the list, and instead want Eileidh to enjoy activities other children may take for granted.
Other items on the itinerary include becoming a zookeeper for a day at the Blair Drummond Safari Park, having a bedroom makeover and seeing real snow for the first time.
Donations can be made at www.gofundme.com/eileidhsjourney
