A KILBOWIE mum has been left “overwhelmed” after a fellow Kiltwalker offered to donate his finisher’s medal when she was forced to forfeit the challenge to rush to the aid of her disabled daughter.

Fiona MacGill was taking part in the popular charity walk on April 30 as part of Erin’s Gift – a group the 42-year-old founded as part of a year-long campaign to give back to charities which helped improve the life of her daughter Erin.

At one point, the family was unsure if Erin would live to see her 18th birthday.

The 17-year-old was born with a rare chromosome disorder which affected her development and her health and has resulted in the teenager developing numerous health conditions, such has being forced to undergo a kidney transplant at age eight.

But now the mother of two is looking forward to celebrating the milestone with Erin.

And each of the family’s chosen charities will be gifted with their funds on Erin birthday, on February 17, 2018.

Fiona said: “She’s just the happy wee girl. She battles through it all, through all her illness and I’ve always said as long as she’s fighting we’ll be right there alongside with her. She’s so inspirational. She’s just a wee darling.”

During the Glasgow Kiltwalk fundraiser, Fiona got a call to say Erin had taken unwell.

The worried mum realised she would be unable to continue the walk – which she took part in alongside son Sean, 19, and friends – and she immediately began searching for a “Kiltie” to help her reach her daughter.

Days after the walk she was contacted by the event organisers who informed her another walker had heard of her plight and wanted to donate his own medal to Fiona.

In a letter the Kiltwalk team said: “He wanted to try and find you to give you his own medal to make sure you got one.

“We of course told him we would happily send you one.”

Fiona, who dubbed the staff and the kind-hearted walker as “heroes”, said: “I’m completely overwhelmed by it because it’s just a wee charity that I set up, because Erin had been in hospital from September to December last year and we were looking for something positive to focus on and to give back.

“When I had the phone call to say that Erin had taken unwell, my priority was to get off the track and get to Erin.”

Christopher Quinn, the walker who offered Fiona his medal, took to the Erin’s Gift social media page to share how he discovered her story.

He said: “Some things are more important than trinkets. Like your daughter, family always come first. I’m glad she is doing ok.

“Just to clear things up a little, I’m also a Kiltie but had decided to walk Glasgow this year after watching walkers over the last few years.”

Now the gang has received their medals, the MacGill family will now continue their fundraising mission to give back to Kidney Kids Scotland, Catherine McEwan Foundation, PALS and Children’s Renal Unit which have supported Erin throughout her life.

Fiona added: “It’s our way of saying ‘thank you’ on behalf of her and it’s important we raise awareness of these charities that do amazing work. I’ve had fantastic support. I’ve been so overwhelmed that everyone is taking Erin into their hearts and asking what they can do.”

Next on the agenda is a fancy dress 80s party on June 9. See Erin’s Gift on Facebook. The group are also seeking any potential raffle prizes to be handed in ahead of the big night.