The Scottish Government could be about to step in to ensure a cancer-stricken schoolgirl gets the costly treatment she needs to survive.
Aggressive tumours will kill nine-year-old Mackenzie Furniss unless she can receive pioneering immunotherapy in Germany.
The £350,000 treatment for rare cancer neuroblastoma is not available in the UK and the family are trying to raise the cash by the end of the month.
Mackenzie’s mum Kimberley, 29, of Sauchie in Clackmannanshire, revealed that local MSP Keith Brown is trying to persuade SNP colleagues in the Scottish Government to step in.
She said: “Our local MSP is in talks with the Government to see if it can be funded. The Government hasn’t paid before but it’s good that he’s trying.
“We signed a form giving him permission to discuss Mackenzie with ministers. He sounded quite hopeful, so you never know.”
The family has managed to collect just over £100,000, including a big donation from pop star Pink. The US superstar sent £10,000 after reading about the appeal.
She then tweeted a link to Mackenzie’s JustGiving page to her 18,704,806 followers on the social networking website.
Hollywood actor Justin Long, who starred in He’s Just Not That Into You with Jennifer Aniston, also donated $1,000 (£640).
There is now only a few days until Mackenzie is due in Germany for life-saving treatment.
Kimberley added: “We have a week left and we’re staying positive. A lot can happen in a week.”
To donate to the appeal, visit www.justgiving.com/Appeal4Mackenzie.
You can also follow her progress at www.facebook.com/mackenziesmiracle.