CARING READERS LEAVE ASHTON’S MUM IN TEARS

Aug 30 2007 Paisley Daily Express

GRATEFUL mum Angela Haddow – whose son Ashton has a skull disorder – says the generosity shown by Paisley Daily Express readers left her in tears.

The nine-month-old tot suffers from a condition known as flat-head syndrome but has been given a massive boost after Buddies rallied round to help raise cash for the £2,000 Starbelt helmet which could correct problems with his skull and prevent eye, ear and jaw problems in later life.

After an appeal in these pages, scores of kind-hearted Paisley folk and local businesses donated cash and raffle prizes at a special fundraising night at the Old Swan pub to ensure Angela’s little boy was kitted out with the vital headgear.

She said: “I’ve got to say a big thank-you to the Paisley Daily Express and all its readers. They have been great.

“Castelvecchi in New Street gave us £150 too while other business have also helped out.

“Seriously, the people of Paisley have been fantastic. At the fundraiser we had people coming up all the time handing over cash – it wasn’t just fivers, it was £10 and £20 notes.

“We were overwhelmed by the whole thing – I was in tears.”

In total £1,850 was raised and that will go some way to paying off the pricey helmet, as well as further trips to see expert doctors.

The couple have already been forced to head south to Leeds to have Ashton examined by private doctors after learning treatment is not available on the NHS.

“We have to go to Leeds for check-ups with specialists and that means travel costs and five-night hotel costs which all mounts up. The sum raised will help enormously,” said Angela.

“We’ve actually had the helmet for a few weeks after we borrowed some money for it. Now we will be able to pay that back.”

The tot – who has a narrow forehead and a skull which is wider at the sides and flatter at the back than normal – has now been fitted with the Starband helmet which should hopefully correct his head shape and prevent further problems as he grows.

He will have to wear the headgear 23 hours a day for around seven months and even then Ashton may still have problems.

But the signs are good already with doctors saying there has been an improvement since the wee man got his hands on his new headgear a month ago.

Angela – who also has a seven-year-old daughter Casey with partner Gary Bradley, 34 – added: “We had a check-up last week and the doctor says that there is already a difference of a centimetre across Ashton’s head.

“That’s really encouraging. If it wasn’t for everyone’s help then Ashton’s condition would only have got worse. We’re so grateful.”