A mum from Lancashire has shared how she received help from a stranger after losing hope of finding a treat for her toddler who has complex needs.
Mum of three, Emma Catterall, 33, has struggled to find foods, snacks, and treats for her 21-month old son, Roman, that he can eat without breaking out in an allergic reaction.
He will soon be turning two, but so far Roman's whole life has been spent having countless hospital trips and appointments to figure out his reaction to certain foods, Lancashire Live reports.
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The toddler's allergies include an extensive list of food that he can't eat, including some vegetables, gluten, wheat, soya, and many other ingredients that are found in almost all food items in supermarkets.
His reactions cause severe stomach pains, so Emma is working with paediatrics to determine if those allergies are the cause of Roman's stunt in development.
Finding suitable food options and especially treats to make her son happy has been almost impossible for Emma.
But when she discovered that a simple 'Free From' cake slice from Morrisons was the only treat he could have, Emma found hope that he finally has something to make him happy like other children.
Soon after, the cake slices became hard to come by with only the odd box left on the shelves at a time.
After months of trying to find the cakes or similar alternatives, Emma turned to a member of staff at the Morrisons store in Leyland, who quickly came to aid of the mother.
"I asked this girl and said have you got anymore in stock- she went and had a look and came back to say I'm really sorry but there is none," Emma said.
"At this point the frustration was setting in because he hadn't had his treat in so long."
Understanding the mum's frustrations, the member of staff, Mollie Fishwick, took Emma's details with the intention of calling her back once the deliveries arrive.
Emma was shocked to receive a message on Sunday (October 10) informing her the cakes had been left aside for her to collect in the morning.
"When I went to collect them, there were four boxes of the cakes and I said that's great, how much is it and the lady said they've been paid for," Emma said.
"I went to find Mollie to pay her back and thank her and she said no, it's my treat and to see Roman at the time sat in the trolley eating a cake with a big smile of her face, she said that's all I wanted to see.
"I said to her you're an angel sent from heaven - to do that and go out of your way for Roman, no one has ever done that.
"I was lost for words and for some people that would seem really small but it wasn't me she was helping, it was Roman and she didn't know his full story - sleepless nights, hospital admissions because he's in absolute agony, rushing round trying to find Piriton.
"To go to of her way and give him that one treat that he enjoys, I'm completely and utterly speechless."
For Mollie, the simple act of setting aside the cakes was something she was more than happy to do and when seeing Roman herself, made it all the more worthwhile for her.
Mollie said: "I didn't tell her I paid for them and it was actually a last-minute decision so she could just get on with her day.
"It takes me all of two minutes to change a little boy's life and if I can do that then it'll mean the world to them.
"Emma came and found me on the shop floor and Roman was blowing me kisses and scoffing all the cakes - it just melts my heart."
