A PENDEEN toddler with a skull deformity is on the road to recovery thanks to the fundraising efforts of the local community.
Woody Buxton has developmental brachycephaly, a flattening and asymmetry of the skull also known as flat head syndrome.
Parents Victoria Whitney and Christopher Buxton were told the NHS wouldn't pay for the special helmet he needed to wear 23 hours a day to remould the shape of his head, so they went about raising the money themselves.
With the support of friends, family and the local community, they have smashed their £2,500 target and raised £4,000.
A total of £725 alone was raised at a quiz at the First and Last Inn in Sennen.
"Everyone has been really supportive; the local community are amazing," said Miss Whitney. "It took a while for the success of our fundraising to sink in as we were pretty overwhelmed.
"Of course not everyone agrees with what we're doing and that we've been fundraising, but our bigger goal has always been to raise awareness too, so parents are informed and know what options there are and steps to take to avoid the impact of the condition.
"I truly believe in why we're doing this and we will continue in some form to carry on raising awareness for a long time yet because if we can change the system – make a difference to another family's life – then it's all worth it."
She added that the rest of the money would be given to Headstart4Babies, which offers advice and support on the condition as well as assisting families on a low income with grants to get treatment they would never otherwise be able to afford.
She said Woody had taken to the helmet well and it was hoped that the treatment would leave him with a balanced head shape and posture.
"We're not doing it for millimetre-by-millimetre perfection, as he's perfect to us anyway," said Miss Whitney.
"What we're going for is balance enough to keep him well and rule out any further physical problems that could arise as he grows older."
