Readers rally to eye lad’s plight

Days after we printed an appeal for him, locals pledged the £500 needed for a breakthrough operation in Kiev.

Bohdan’s plight would have gone unnoticed had it not been for Abronhill man Jim Gillies who is well-known locally for bringing medical aid to the areas still affected by the Chernobyl disaster more than two decades ago.

We told how little Bodhan is to be sent to a state orphanage later this year after being abandoned by his alcoholic mother. His father is nowhere to be seen.

Bohdan has a number of health problems but the onset of blindness was the biggest threat.

Grateful Jim said: ”I would like to say a great big thank you to the readers of the Cumbernauld News for their generous response. Bohdan has tugged the heartstrings of many people. Their response with donations and kind words has been totally unbelievable.”

Jim’s next move has been to contact the clinic in Kiev, which will then schedule a date for the operation.