The mother of a sick toddler has been overwhelmed by generous offers to replace the toys stolen from her son’s pram.
Kind-hearted people from across the north-east have been in touch with Sharon Mitchell since she revealed earlier this week that a thief had stolen her son’s precious toys.
Now she is urging people who want to help to “share the good” – by giving the toys they have bought for Leon Gough to the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital instead.
Little Leon was given the Playmobil sets as a treat before a hospital visit earlier this week.
The three-year-old suffers from a rare defect to his skull and had major surgery to relieve pressure on his brain when he was a baby, but made the trip to Birmingham for further tests and consultations.
But just days before he was due to head to the hospital, he was left heartbroken after the play figures were stolen from his pram at Tesco in Fraserburgh.
His mother appealed for the thief to return the toys to the supermarket and promised no questions would be asked.
But instead, she has been inundated with offers from people across the north-east who want to replace the figures.
Now she’s urging those who want to help to donate the toys to the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital in Leon’s name.
She said: “The reaction from people has been lovely, it was just mad on Tuesday after the story was in the P&J.
“There were people saying they would raise money for toys for Leon, or go round the shops asking for donations. But Leon has lots of toys.
“The story has already made a difference, we showed it to Leon and he knows people are looking for his toys and it cheered him up.
“It would feel like taking advantage of people’s kindness. There are plenty of children in more need, and it would be nice to share the good around a bit.”
The family have previously donated goodies to the hospital after Leon’s first surgery, and know they will be put to good use.
“Kids go through a lot at hospital, there’s always something they need,” Ms Mitchell added.
“I don’t want to seem ungrateful to anyone that wants to help, and I’ll be in trouble if Leon finds out I turned down toys for him, but it’s better to share them out amongst other people.”
Leon was born with saggital craniosynostosis, a rare defect that means his skull grows irregularly and causes headaches and difficulties with breathing and hearing.