KIND-HEARTED friends and family have been raising funds for plucky youngster Mason Forbes-Aitkens.The toddler who suffered brain damage after falling into a bucket of water at his home in King's Way, Ipswich needs special lights to provide him with visual stimulation.

KIND-HEARTED friends and family have been raising funds for plucky youngster Mason Forbes-Aitkens.

The toddler who suffered brain damage after falling into a bucket of water at his home in King's Way, Ipswich needs special lights to provide him with visual stimulation.

But the lights range from £300 - £3,000 and he needs an assessment at Ipswich Hospital to determine which ones will best suit him.

Helen Forbes, Mason's mum, said: "The price of disabled children's equipment is upsetting. When I first read the book of equipment I cried – how can they charge that?"

The ordeal happened a year ago when Mason was just 15-months-old and left him on a life support machine with no real hope of survival.

But the determined youngster defied the odds and when doctors switched off his life support he gasped for breath.

Today he is showing the same resilience, staying awake all day to take part in a fundraising walk from Felixstowe to Ipswich.

Although Mason cannot actually walk he was pushed in a buggy and carried along the route.

Helen Forbes, Mason's mum, said: "It was really great. We don't know how much we have raised until people start to collect the money.

"Mason stayed awake the whole day and must have known something was going on because he didn't fall asleep until 10pm."

More than 60 people took part in the walk wearing specially made T-shirts to advertise the cause.

Miss Forbes added: "I would like to thank Staples for donating the ink for the T-shirts – it cost more than £100.

"We also want to thank MD Travel who donated a coach to get everyone to Felixstowe.

"A couple of people have donated cheques for £50 and the Noisy Group from a church in Felixstowe donated £100.

"I also want to thank Julie Clayon and Brady Todd for their support – Julie raised £100 for Mason."

A further £1,300 was raised at a fundraiser at the Gainsborough Labour Club.

Miss Forbes added: "I would like to say a big thanks to Trina Crowley, Floey Crowley, Yvonne Nicholls and Margie Chapman who organised that event."