A Moray boy, whose life is blighted by severe allergies, has donated thousands of pounds to a children’s hospital to help other youngsters.
Mason Hale, aged five, from Buckie, often misses out on things which are enjoyed by other kids, because he suffers from a range of allergies which can cause extreme reactions.
His parents have said the Millbank Primary School pupil is allergic to “almost everything”, and fear for him every time he leaves the house.
But the chirpy youngster was guest of honour at the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital this week, when he handed over a cheque for £2,400 to its immunology department.
His mum, Kelly Hale, raised the impressive sum after being overwhelmed by the response to an awareness campaign she launched to help other people understand Mason’s condition.
And the hospital’s official charity, the ARCHIE Foundation, yesterday expressed its gratitude to the family.
The organisation’s head of fundraising, Claire Bush, said the money would “make a difference” to other children like Mason.
She added: “This is an amazing amount, and we are delighted to accept it towards the immunology department.
“We have a large number of dedicated funds for families like Mason’s who would like their money to go towards a special cause.
“We rely heavily on the generosity of the people of the north-east fundraising for us, just as Mason and Mrs Hale have done.
“They make a huge difference to us and other local sick children and their families and we thank them very much.”
Mason is allergic to nuts, eggs, fish, oranges, avocado, soya and latex – and even being in the same room as some materials can cause him to have a reaction.
Mrs Hale began a campaign to highlight his symptoms, and how to handle them, in September. The 30-year-old launched her fundraising effort after being flooded with offers of support.
She was “amazed” when a charity raffle she staged at Buckie Thistle FC’s social club in November attracted so many people the queue stretched out of the door.
Yesterday, she issued a “huge, heartfelt thank you” to everybody who had helped her collect the £2,400 sum.
