BIG-HEARTED Greenock school pupils have rallied round to help one of their classmates who suffers from a life-limiting genetic disorder.

Nine-year-old Mackenzie Dick, of Brown Street, has incurable Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a serious muscle wasting disease that gets worse as he grows older.

Mackenzie’s mum and dad, Dawn and Graham, have collected a terrific total of £14,000 for Action Duchenne, a charity attempting to find a cure for the disease.

Now they are fundraising for the special equipment the All Saints Primary pupil will need, as well as continuing to help the charity too.

Mackenzie uses an ordinary wheelchair when he needs it, but will require a special electric wheelchair with equipment to help him breathe.

This will cost an estimated £17,500, and so far around £10,000 has been raised through various activities organised by friends of the family and others who read about Mackenzie in the Tele.

Now his generous classmates have added a terrific amount to the total by organising a cake and candy sale throughout the school — and raising £1,242.

Class P5A teacher Julia Kershaw helped her pupils with their project, and Mackenzie’s parents say they are so grateful to everyone involved.

Dawn and Graham, who also have another son, six-year-old Aaron, were stunned when Mackenzie was diagnosed with the illness.

The disease affects mainly boys, starts in childhood and may be noticed when a child has problems standing up, climbing or running.

It results in loss of strength around the hips and shoulders, and can also cause breathing or heart problems.

Dawn, 36, said: “It was very thoughtful of everyone at the school to do this for Mackenzie.” Graham, 36, added: “It’s great to see the youngsters and teachers helping Mackenzie.” All Saints head teacher, Angela Kennedy, said the entire school community came together for the project.

She told the Tele: “The children came up with really good ideas.” Depute head Anne-Marie McAvoy added: “Everyone contributed a little, and together we achieved a lot.” Dawn and Graham have also thanked the people who raised £642 by holding a bingo night at Crawfurdsburn Community Centre, and students at West College Scotland who sold tablet and collected £273.

More details about the fundraising appeal are available on the Facebook page ‘Standing Up to Duchenne — Mackenzie’s Fund’.