A KIND-HEARTED Clacks community have rallied around to support the family of a Menstrie boy who was told he had Leukaemia on New Year’s Eve.

Logan Mowatt was rushed into treatment and has spent the last week or so confined to a hospital ward in Glasgow.

He had been complaining of sore legs and fatigue and was immediately referred to hospital by his doctor.

His family were then told that the six-year-old had cancer and would need to undergo an intense course of chemotherapy.

Since then, Logan has been battling the illness, as well as the effects of the treatment, while at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children.

But when news of his diagnosis spread, caring friends Jill Collins and Chris Chalk kickstarted an online fundraising campaign to help support the family.

Logan’s mum Suzanne Brown has been at his side since he was taken in, and says she has been blown away by the generous community response.

She told the Advertiser: “The doctors told us on New Year’s Eve that they suspected Logan had Leukaemia.

“I noticed he was losing weight and he was really pale. He kept complaining about sore legs and knees. He couldn’t put his own shoes on and I had to help him. 

“It then got to the point where he was crying with the pain. We took him to the doctors and were told to take him straight up to the hospital. 

“Within the hour we were told what they thought it was.

“I noticed he had a rash of tiny red dots, so I was preparing myself to hear that he had meningitis.

“But they took us into a room and all they had in it was a couch, a table and tissues, so I knew some bad news was coming.

“Then the doctor told us he had Leukaemia. So it went from waking up in the morning to that all within a few hours.”

Brave Logan has since started his first round of chemotherapy and is likely to remain in hospital for the next few weeks.

The treatment is taking its toll on him, but Suzanne is full of praise for the work of the “amazing” staff in the unit.

She said: “He’s not really himself; he’s really tired, and I think he’s just fed up with people poking and prodding him.

“It’s not the best start to the new year. In fact, half of his Christmas presents are still in the house, unopened.

“Some days are better than others, but it’s taking a lot to keep his spirits up. Though he has been keeping himself busy with LEGO for the time being.

“His brother, his sister and his cousins are all younger than him and they’re all upset. You just never expect something like this to happen to you.

“We know he is in the best place though; the staff here have all been amazing, as well as the other mums and dads who are going through the same thing.”

In addition to the impressive £1,200 raised by Jill and Chris already, the Sauchie duo are holding a fundraising night next month to make sure the family have all they need.

Suzanne said: “I can’t even believe the support we have been given – it’s overwhelming.

“Jill and Chris have been amazing; I would never have thought to do anything like that.

“I’ve also received so many messages of support with people adding me on Facebook asking if they can help.

“People that I’ve never really spoke to before, parents that I have met in the playground, have been getting in touch to see if I need anything like a babysitter or something like that.

“It just shows you that it’s a really tight community. It’s nice to know that people are thinking about you.”

Jill, 33, added: “This came out of nowhere and it would’ve been a massive shock to the family. I think everyone is still a little shellshocked and numb.

“He’ll have four weeks of intense chemo and it’s a fair trek to Glasgow and back. Me and Chris thought we would try help with the bills and things and so we set up the Just Giving page.

“Now everyone has been coming forward to help. We’re hosting a fundraising night next month and I’ve got raffle prizes coming out of my ears.

“We’ve booked Sauchie Hall on February 18 and we are told that Broxy the Bear – the Rangers FC mascot – is coming along too.

“Celtic have also sent us something, as have Stirling Albion. A few people have offered to do a sponsored leg waxing and there will be a DJ doing the music for free.”

To pick up tickets for the fundraising event, contact Jill or Chris through the Logan Mowatt Leukemia Fund Facebook page.

Donations to the crowd fund can be made justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jill-collins