Our wee braveheart

Boy battling heart defect shrugs condition off to brighten up the lives of sick children

- BY HEATHER GREENAWAY

BRAVE schoolboy Dayn Montgomery refuses to let his complex heart defects stop him from spreading joy to other sick kids and their families.

The 11-year-old, who was just over a week old when he underwent open-heart surgery, works tirelessly raising funds and collecting chocolate treats and toiletries for children in hospital.

At Christmas, with the help of his 14th Ayrshire Scout Group, Dayn collects hundreds of toys, selection boxes and supplies for children having to spend the festive season away from home.

The little “Brave-heart” then delivers sackloads of goodies to Glasgow's Royal Hospital for Children (RHC), Crosshouse Hospital, in Kilmarnock, and Whiteleys Retreat in Alloway, Ayrshire.

And every April Dayn takes part in the Hillbillies Motorcycle Club Easter egg run, which raises thousands for Crosshouse Children’s Fund.

Despite his heart condition, which can leave him feeling tired, Dayn works hard throughout the year to put smiles on the faces of others.

Now his selflessness has earned him a Child of Courage nomination in this year’s Pride of Scotland Awards.