A young girl from Old Kilpatrick has become the unlikely face of a Scottish-wide charity campaign - after she was photographed while waiting to see a doctor about her tonsils.

Five-year-old Darcy Bennett’s face will be seen on leaflets and posters across the country as part of the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity’s (GCHC) Christmas appeal which is looking to raise £200,000 for life-saving equipment for kids.

The money raised will fund a neurological endoscope which will be used to provide vital surgery to children who suffer from brain tumours, cysts, and hydrocephalus - a dangerous buildup of fluid on the brain.

The Gavinburn Primary School pupil’s mum, Carolyn, told the Post she couldn’t believe it when she received confirmation her daughter had been chosen as one of just four others to front the campaign.

She said: “We’d been waiting for quite a while to be seen to in the hospital, and Darcy hadn’t eaten anything all day, so she was starting to get restless and bored.

“When a photographer approached us about the campaign, it came as a relief because it kept Darcy distracted and reduced the waiting time.

“We were absolutely delighted she was chosen. It made our day, and it’s for such a great cause as well.”

The endoscope would be the first of its kind in a children’s hospital in Scotland, and one of only a few in Europe.

Shona Cardle, chief executive of GCHC, described how “there is no margin for error” when it comes to brain-related surgeries.

She said: “Anything we can do to enhance the equipment available to surgeons can be the difference between life and death.

“That is why this year’s Christmas appeal is so important. We need the generosity of the Scottish public to meet our fundraising target and, if past years are anything to go by, we know that, together, we can do just that.”

The annual festive appeal was launched at an event at the Govan hospital on November 9.

In attendance was 15-year-old Ciara Allan, from Islay, who suffered a stroke resulting from a brain haemorrhage at the age of three.

Since then, she has undergone eight major brain surgeries, four rounds of unsuccessful chemotherapy, and three months of proton beam radiotherapy - and she now faces ongoing battles with epilepsy, dyslexia, and learning difficulties.

Despite her challenges, Ciara said she was proud to support the appeal, and added: “The care I get at the hospital is really special to me. I never give up in my fight, but I can’t do it by myself.

“I hope everyone donates and helps the surgical team get this equipment, which will help lots of children and young people like me who have tumours.”

To donate £5 to the appeal, text CHILD to 70707, call 0141 212 8750, or visit glasgowchildrenshospitalcharity.org/donate.