The red carpet was rolled out at McDiarmid Park for a very special VIP guest.
Brave Cameron Littlejohn (7) was treated to a surprise and unforgettable St Johnstone experience last week.
Stanley Primary School pupil Cameron has Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachy cardia (CPVT), a condition that causes an irregular heart rhythm and which can be very dangerous.
The young super Saint, a real football fanatic, has required many trips to the hospital both at Ninewells and through in Glasgow but is never short of a smile.
His smile grew even wider last Monday when, thanks to St Johnstone, local business Sidey and Saints in the Community, Cameron was invited down to the stadium.
He was given a terrific tour, had a kick-about with first team star Murray Davidson, received signed merchandise and even signed a lifetime contract!
Proud mum Danielle (28) said: “We were totally in the dark and didn’t know anything about what it was going to be.
“We were told to be at McDiarmid Park for 4pm last Monday and it was as much of a surprise for us as for Cameron.
“Cameron actually thought he was going to football training.”
Soon he was heading through the front door of McDiarmid Park and Danielle smiled: “He got the VIP treatment.”
She continued: “There are absolutely no words that come close to describing how happy Cameron was and how much it meant to myself and his dad. I can never find the words to thank them enough.
“Cameron was a little starstruck and was thinking: ‘Did that really just happen?’ It was like it was a dream.
“His favourite player is Stevie May and he signed a strip for him. So did Murray Davidson and Zander Clark.
“Cameron was away into school with his Saints tops, scarf and his contract to show everyone.
“The club is like a second family to us and they go above and beyond for Cameron every time he is there.”
Cameron is a regular at Saints in the Community’s holiday football camps and is again booked in this summer.
Danielle, who thanked coaches Josh Henderson and Danny Griffin, said: “They are so supportive with everything that has been put in place. It might not seem a lot but, to us, it means the world.
“Cameron goes to all the football camps - the Easter, Summer and October one. He is a regular.”
Cameron was diagnosed with CPVT a few years ago and Danielle explained that, anywhere they go, they take an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) machine with them. She is keen to raise awareness of the condition.
The most common symptoms of CPVT are blackouts, palpitations and dizziness.
These can be brought on by strenuous physical activity and heightened emotions, which can cause an increase in the amount of adrenaline running through your blood.
Danielle said: “Cameron was having collapsing episodes and was admitted into Ninewells for further tests.
“We were then referred to a cardiology team down in Glasgow and they took him in for investigation.
“He was put through an adrenaline challenge and that is when it was discovered the collapse episodes were to do with his heart. We went through a lot of testing and trials with medication.
“The best thing to do is to get checked so that you can move forward with your life.
“As everyone can see from the video that St Johnstone put out, it does not stop Cameron.
“Nothing fazes him. If he is in hospital, he gets back up as soon as he is able to and cracks on. He genuinely amazes me.” The PA would like to congratulate Cameron on his lifetime contract.
• For more information on CPVT, visit www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/conditions/cpvt
