More than £10,000 has been raised to help keep a north-east family together while one of their children has cancer treatment in the United States.
Four-year-old James Baron was a typical, happy child until November last year when his parents, Kayleigh, 25, and Richard, 29, noticed a problem with his right eye.
Four days later doctors diagnosed rhabdomyosarcoma – the most common cancer in children – on his optic nerve.
Mrs Baron said it had been a difficult time for the family, who stay at Cuminestown.
“We were just in complete shock,” she said.
” Our world stopped and suddenly all our energy was put towards James. To make things more difficult we have three other children at home.”
Doctors who are treating James in Aberdeen have said the youngster is almost certainly suitable for undergo proton therapy in the US, but the NHS will not pay for his sisters to make the trip.
Mrs Baron said it was vital that the family stay together.
“We have a seven month old baby boy, Henry, and two daughters, Evelynn, who is two, and Imogen, who is three, so leaving them is just not an option,” she said.
“They are part of James’ journey to recovery.
“His eyes just light up when he sees them.”
Locals rallied round when they heard about the family’s plight and so far more than £10,600 has been raised towards a target of £12,000.
Supporters hope to boost the total with a coffee morning in Cuminestown Church hall on Saturday, January 24.
The event will run from 9.30am to noon and tickets are £3 for adults and £1.50 for children.
Last night, family friend, Nadia Soto de Gray, 35, said James’s parents were “overwhelmed” by the donations.
“They can’t believe it. They are overwhelmed, they never expected this to happen,” she said.
“They’re really very happy because now they’re going to be able to go to the US with the girls.”