A HELENSBURGH school’s “superhero” who defied all the odds to defeat Covid-19 is being supported by his classmates in an epic “walkathon”.
The Advertiser reported on Mackenzie Cameron, a pupil at Colgrain Primary, who lives with an incredibly rare genetic condition which leaves him especially vulnerable to Covid-19.
The 11-year-old, from Cardross, suffered two cardiac arrests and four respiratory arrests during an eight-week hospital stay after testing positive for Covid-19 between Christmas and New Year.
And now Colgrain is planning show its support for Mackenzie, and the charities who help him and many other children.
They’re urging Helensburgh residents to join them in an epic virtual walk during the Easter school break, which they’ve dubbed #Walk4Mackenzie.
Mackenzie holds a special place in his heart for Disneyland, and the plan is for funds to be raised by completing around three million collective steps – the distance from Helensburgh to Disneyland Paris and back.
Pauline Walsh, head teacher at Colgrain Primary, said in a newsletter to parents: “We are looking for as many families, friends, walking groups and running groups as possible to take part during our spring holiday to record the steps you take in week one and week two of the holidays.
“We hope to reach Disneyland in our steps halfway through and then complete the steps back again.
“Mackenzie and his family are up for the challenge – we hope you are too!”
The money will be raised for Samuel’s Smile, a charity which helps children with rare diseases, and the John O’Byrne Foundation, set up to help kids in Glasgow’s Royal Hospital For Children.
Mackenzie’s dad, Richard Cameron, told the Advertiser: “We think it’s a lovely idea. Mackenzie has been through the mill – he’s a remarkable boy considering everything he’s gone through.
“It was the school who came up with the idea to support Mackenzie in his rehab. He does a Zoom meeting with his teacher every Monday, and we’ve been talking to his teacher and doing wee challenges.
Mackenzie Cameron and his big sister Naomi and parents Richard and Kelly haven't been able to holiday in Disneyland this year due to the pandemic
“We’ve been sending small videos of his exercises, and he’s been out doing walks outside the house. I think it’s a great for the school to encourage people to get out and about anyway.
“The two charities that we’ll be raising funds for have both been very good to us.
“Recently the John O’Byrne Foundation received 200 boxes of chocolate, which went to all the mothers in the kids’ hospital.
“They’ve gone in and paid for tea and cakes for the staff as well.
“It’s nice for the school and wider communities to get together and support these two charities.”
A JustGiving page for the event is now live – click here to make a donation.
Colgrain has also published two Google forms – Week 1 (Friday, April 2 to Friday, April 9) and Week 2 (Saturday, April 10 to Friday, April 16) – where participants can log in and keep track of their progress.
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