Salmond’s help for generous Carolynne

A mum who hit the headlines when she donated money meant for her sick daughter to another ill youngster has been offered a fundraising boost by the First Minister.

Carolynne Hunter, 41, from Stirling, wrote to Alex Salmond when he was due to visit the offices of the firm she works for.

She explained how she was struggling to meet the needs of her daughter Freya, who has cerebral palsy, and had resorted to raising money for her.

Mr Salmond agreed to meet software engineer and even posed for a selfie for her Facebook page.

An invitation to Holyrood soon followed, with the FM also making it clear he’d like to meet Freya. He offered Carolynne six places round his table for a lunch at Holyrood which she will now auction to raise money for Freya.

The news comes less than a year after big-hearted Carolynne raised £2,000 to help Freya but handed it to the parents of cancer sufferer Mackenzie Furniss. She said at the time she was so moved by the girl’s cause she couldn’t ignore it.

Carolynne, who plans to vote ‘No’ in the referendum, said: “I’m incredibly grateful to the FM for taking a genuine interest, for wanting to help and for following through with that. He was lovely with Freya.

“I love Freya to bits and don’t grudge her any of the time I devote to her, but it completely changes everything about your life when you have a child with such acute needs, and sometimes you have to ask for help.”

Mr Salmond offers the lunches for charitable causes most Thursdays following his weekly grilling at FM’s Questions. He said that his office couldn’t become involved in individual matters.

But he was able to take an interest on a personal level and offer one of his charitable lunches for any worthwhile cause.

He said: “Freya has a mum who wouldn’t miss an opportunity to do all she can for her daughter and she made sure she got my attention.”

Anyone wishing to bid for the lunches with the FM should email carolynne.hunter40@gmail.com. Bids will close on Sunday, July 20 at 6pm.