Scots MMA fighter Stevie Ray has spoken of his family's relief after £100,000 was raised to pay for his daughter's brain surgery.
Myla Ray, 7, has Frontal Lobe Epilepsy, as well as Cortical dysplasia type 2 and can suffer up to 50 seizures a day.
The Fife schoolgirl is becoming drug resistant which leaves her at risk of dying in her sleep.
Former UFC Stevie, 33, and wife Nicola, 30 set up a fundraiser to pay for private surgery to remove part of Myla's brain. More than £110,000 has been raised in just three days - including a £10,000 donation from UFC president Dana White and £1000 from Outlander star Sam Heughan.
Dad-of-four Stevie told the Record: "We're so grateful she is going to be able to get the surgery.
"We didn't expect to raise the funds so quickly, it has been overwhelming. This has given me so much faith in humanity. Her story has obviously resonated with so many families.
"Sam Heughan has reached out to us privately. Dana White has also supported us. I'm so thankful to both of them, and to all the strangers who have given us their hard earned cash.
"There is a 50 per cent chance the surgery will work - but doctors won't know how much of her brain they need to remove until she's in theatre.
"It could give her the chance to live a normal childhood."
Myla suffered a seizure in 2019 and was diagnosed with Frontal Lobe Epilepsy in March 2020.
Her condition deteriorated and she was then given a Cortical Dysplasia diagnosis in October 2022, just weeks before Stevie's huge £810k fight with Olivier Aubin-Mercier.
Stevie said life has become increasingly difficult for his wife and their other three children Lyle, 12, Millie, 10 and Lara, 3, as Myla's seizures have worsened.
He continued: "It has been tough over the last few years.
"We have to make sure we are near a hospital everywhere we go. I still have to work to provide for my family and I've been away in fight camps a lot.
"Every time I see a missed call from my wife, I fear the worst.
"Myla can't read or write properly because of her condition. She's really behind in school.
"We took her to a birthday party and while the other kids were playing she slept right through it. She's exhausted.
"It's heartbreaking to see your child have no quality of life."
The Professional Fighters League donated a massive £15,000, with Stevie's fellow Scottish fighters Paul Craig and Chris Duncan also adding to the fundraiser. Other MMA fighters and media members to donate include Ariel Helwani, Laura Sanko, Shane Burgos and Kayla Harrison with the fighting community rallying in support.
To donate, click here.
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