A WEST FIFE business has donated £3,700 to go towards vital treatment for a Dunfermline boy with a muscle-wasting illness.

A ball organised by building merchants MKM raised the cash to help Pitcorthie Primary nursery pupil Jamie Tierney, who was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) last year.

The three-year old is set to travel to South America next month for his second bout of infusion treatment which, it is hoped, will help slow down his condition.

Since the devastating diagnosis, Jamie's parents, Bobbie and Jamie, have been fundraising to pay for the trips, which will see him flying out to undergo three rounds of infusion treatment every year.

The treatment will cost around £60,000 annually but the family hope that it will give young Jamie a much improved quality of life.

MKM branch director Wullie Wightman was delighted to be able to help.

"We had a charity ball on December 2nd and we had customers, suppliers and staff contributing," he explained. "We want to help good causes locally and one of the guys suggested Jamie as he went to school with his dad.

"We will be having a golf day this year and we would like to think he will benefit from that as well."

Bobbie was overwhelmed with the support.

"They just came out of the blue and had messaged us saying they were going to do it," said Bobbie. "It was an amazing amount to raise. We are going out for Jamie's next treatment in February so that takes a big dent out of the fundraising.

"We have already kick-started the new year with things. We have 10 boys doing the Edinburgh marathon. They are Jamie (senior's) friends and a lot of people who he grew up with and went to school with. People that have been supporting and following Jamie's story so it is really kind that they have offered to do that.

"My cousin is also going to run a half marathon. Also, a guy who I grew up with when I was younger has set up a gofundme and is going to run two marathons in two days so there is a lot of running going on and everyone getting a January health kick.

"We cannot believe it. Normally, you get to January and people have got their own things to do but all these people have just stepped forward straight away to say they want to do things to help Jamie."

A date in July has already been fixed for the next JT Cup, which will include a football tournament and other activities, while a fundraiser is also taking place in the White Gates pub in Comrie to help boost funds.

After enjoying Christmas as a family, Bobbie is keen to see more improvement in her little boy when they return for their next lot of treatment.

"He's being doing OK. We have noticed a big difference in him since going the first time but, as time goes on, the treatment washes out of his system and we have noticed him slowing down. He is still stronger and more mobile than what he was pre-treatment," she said.

"We got told not to expect much after his first round and were told the second treatment would be when we would see more. We felt we noticed a big difference after the first treatment so we are hoping that we see differences, then we go again in May."

For more information on the fundraisers, or how to donate, visit Wee Jamies Journey on Facebook.