KIND-HEARTED residents in Alloa are banding together to support a baby in need.

Mum Chelsea Searle has been blown away by the generous offers of support around the town's Shetland Court and beyond after her friends kick-started a fundraising drive.

She is looking to secure a custom-made Timband helmet for her five month old daughter Frankie-Rose.

The tot has been diagnosed with severe plagiocephaly and brachycephaly – also known as flat head syndrome.

The specialist helmet could help correct the shape of Frankie-Rose's skull, but costs more than £2,500 – something the single mum cannot afford.

Chelsea told the Advertiser: "What it means is, the back of her skull is pushing inwards on her brain and it's affecting the development of the whole of her skull."

The Alloa mother is hoping to secure a deposit for the helmet, around £800, by the beginning of September while the rest of the £2,575 needed will be paid in instalments later.

If successful, Frankie-Rose will wear the helmet 23 hours a day, at least, for six months.

Chelsea said: "My niece had it as well [flat head syndrome] and she had to get the helmet."

She added: "It did [work for her], she's three now and she got her helmet fitted when she was about five-six months [old].

"You look at her now and you wouldn't think there was anything wrong with her head."

Chelsea is concerned that if she does not secure the funds, her baby's development could be impacted severely.

She said: "If she doesn't get the helmet it can cause brain damage – it can cause a lot of issues later in life, so it's really important that I try and come up with the money to get her the helmet."

While a considerable sum is required in a short period of time, Chelsea has been blown away by the support in her community.

Her friend Amanda Nelson has quickly set up the Frankie-Rose's Timband Appeal page on Facebook and raffles are already being organised with the support of businesses in the Wee County.

Not only that, people are volunteering for fundraising activities such as leg waxing and indeed, some are even set to brave the shave.

They include neighbour Nan Hynd and friend Miggie Mack while support is also being offered by Andrea Murray.

Nan told the Advertiser: "Quite a lot of the community has come together and they are doing various things, collecting money; we are having a bingo."

She added: "It is the community, the whole Bottom End, has come together really."

Chelsea explained she "burst out crying" when she got back to the house after Nan and Miggie offered to help.

She said: "Everybody is willing to help, it was really overwhelming."

People looking to follow the fundraiser can find Frankie-Rose's Timband Appeal on Facebook or visit bit.ly/3hbt9ot for the fundraising page.