A Dundee teenager who became a multiple amputee before the age of two received a cheque for more than £4700.
Liam Scott McKelvie (13) is a meningitis survivor who lost both his arms and legs due to the illness but has shown a remarkable fighting spirit.
Friends Susan Scott and Helen Lynch decided to organise a fund-raising ball at the Invercarse Hotel on June 4, which raised £4723 that will go towards the medical care and equipment Liam will need as he grows.
“I’ve known the family for years and I think Liam is an inspiration to us all,” said Susan, who works as a child minder. “The family had never had this type of fund-raising idea before, so we decided to have the ball and were fortunate to receive lots of donations from football clubs and businesses throughout the country.”
A total of 197 people attended the ball and it was such a success that Susan and Helen, who works as a staff nurse, have decided to hold the event again in 2012.
“It was a fabulous night and the total raised was incredible,” said Susan. “We would definitely do something similar in two years’ time.”
“It’s very important for Liam to have people doing fund-raisers like this and it’s absolutely wonderful to have so much support from the community,” said Maureen McKelvie, Liam’s grandmother.
“At least once a year Liam needs new limbs fitted and he also has an electric wheelchair that needs updating quite often as he grows all the time. Liam never complains and just gets on with things he actually helps us more than we help him.”
Susan and Helen handed over the cheque to Liam a pupil at Harris Academy yesterday at his grandmother’s house in Invergowrie.