A 12-year-old boy, who suffers a genetic condition affecting the nervous system, has given up his most prized possessions to raise money for the Raigmore Children’s Ward Appeal.
Marc Hurst suffers neurofibromatosis, a condition which causes non-malignant tumours on his nerve endings, and he also has learning difficulties and epilepsy.
He was the proud owner of a framed football and shirt signed by Scottish Premier League side Inverness Caley Thistle, plus a pair of gloves previously owned by the team’s goalkeeper, Ryan Esson.
But in a selfless gesture, Marc decided to raffle them off to help boost the £1 million fund-raising appeal to transform the children’s ward where he is a regular patient.
Marc, who lives in Cameron Drive, Ardersier, with his mother, Julie Wilson and stepfather Robert Wilson, is delighted his efforts have raised £225.
"I had explained what the appeal was and he wanted to do something to help," Mrs Wilson said. "He is so proud of what he has done."
Marc, a pupil at Ardersier Primary, acquired the Caley Thistle merchandise about two years ago from Ryan Esson at a club supporters’ event.
The pair presented them to the raffle winner, Colin McNaught, after tickets were sold for the charity at the Santa’s grotto in Falcon Square, Inverness, where Mrs Wilson has been employed as an elf, and also at the George Inn in Ardersier.
Mrs Wilson said that Marc, who is now planning a sponsored bike ride, has been in and out of hospital since he was born.
"He was diagnosed with the condition when he was three — until then we didn’t know what was wrong," she said.
"He tends to pick up illnesses really easily. Whereas we fight them off, when Marc picks them up, it is far more severe. Often, he needs to be put on a drip quite quickly."
