Eight-month-old Owen Evans suffers from severe Brachiocephaly – flat head syndrome – and a special helmet costing £1,900 is his best hope of ever having a normal shaped head – as the Free Press reported last week.

Now, thanks to the generosity of people and local businesses, Owen is booked in for his first helmet fitting on Tuesday – much to the joy of his parents Gemma and Dean.

"We just couldn't believe it," said Gemma, "It's been brilliant what people have done for us and I am just absolutely overwhelmed by it all.

"To raise that kind of money in a little village is just amazing. It really restores your faith in people."

Gemma admitted she was both "excited and apprehensive" about Owen receiving the treatment, which would not have been possible without help from local people.

Dozens took part in a sponsored walk wearing pyjamas on Sunday, and joined in fund-raising events at various pubs in Flamborough.

The Punch Bowl brewery donated a keg of beer which raised £150 from drink sales, The Ship Inn hosted karaoke and a barbecue – and the couple even received anonymous donations totalling over £600.

Dean's aunt, Sonya Tweedale said that the atmosphere during the fund-raising was fantastic.

"You don't realise how many friends you've got until you need them, and everybdy has just been amazing," she said. "After the walk, people did sponsored head-shaves, friends wore basques and brought people's drinks to raise tip money. None of that was planned, people were just doing anything they could to help us.

"You just can't thank people enough," she added.

Charitable Bridlington shop owners Nigel and Kay Williams of Quay News also donated £250 towards the cost of Owen's treatment from money raised by book sales and a tombola.

Kay said: "When we read about it we wanted to do something. He's such a smiley, pleasant baby and it's nice to be helping him."

Other local businesses also rose to the challenge with the Attitude hair salon in Bridlington, Van Monster rental company on Carnaby Industrial Estate, the Co-op store and the paper shop in Flamborough all donating prizes or money to help Gemma and Dean meet the cost of Owen's treatment.

The Royal British Legion also organised a sponsored teddy bear naming.

The final amount has not yet been confirmed, but the family have raised more than enough to cover the cost of the cranial helmet – and now they are setting their sights on helping others in the same position.

Gemma and Dean, who recently moved to Hull, are offering the extra money left over to other families in the region struggling to meet the medical costs associated with Brachiocephaly.

Anybody with a genuine need can contact Sonya on 850410.

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