A CARING mum has been left speechless after kind-hearted Haddington residents dug deep to help fund a sensory garden and new play area for her daughter.

Nancy Hamilton was recently diagnosed with primary dystonia, which affects the muscles in her legs and her ability to walk.

A special ‘Toddle Walk’ was held earlier this month to raise money to help transform the garden of the family home on Abbots View.

Her mum, Lyn, said: “It was amazing, absolutely amazing. So many people came out and I was just overwhelmed by it all. There were about 180 people there and it was phenomenal.

“The weather was gorgeous and it was just great.” Youngsters met at the Co-op on Haddington’s Hopetoun Drive, where manager Stuart Cameron and Paula Lackie have been heavily involved in highlighting the cause and raising money, before taking part in the walk, which took in Davidson Terrace and the grounds at the nearby Lemac factory.

Musician Fish was on hand to lead the walk and draw the raffle and Lyn added: “Fish was amazing, just really, really lovely.

“Grant Lackie, Paula’s husband, was dressed as Winnie the Pooh and Paula was Cruella De Vil.

“There were quite a lot of the kids dressed up as well and we got some t-shirts made up as well because Paula had written a quite nice message and we got [the words] Nancy’s Garden on the front.” The planned wet pour garden, a surface like those found in play parks, and sensory toys are expected to cost about £5,000.

And Lyn was pleased to tell the Courier that about £3,500 had been raised so far.

That means work could start in the garden within a matter of weeks.

Five-year-old Nancy was similarly overwhelmed by the day and her sudden brush with stardom.

Mum-of-three Lyn said: “Nancy thought it was fantastic – she was in her element!

“She didn’t do much toddling or walking, only a little bit, but she was on my shoulders and we made her a little tutu and t-shirt with her face on it. She thought it was amazing and she lapped it all up and was laughing all the time. Old ladies were in their gardens waving and handing her a couple of quid as well; she had a ball. All the kids really enjoyed it and getting a medal and a snack as well, you could not have asked for anything to go better.” To make a donation, go to crowdfunding.justgiving.com/NancysGarden