SOUTH Crosland couple Matt and Mary Wilkinson went through a nightmare when their young son Freddie suffered burns on a family holiday.

But following his wonderful recovery, the thankful parents are raising funds for the medical teams which helped him.

Freddie - now three - was badly scalded when he was 21 months old and the family were on the third day of a camping holiday in St Mawes, Cornwall.

Matt had gone to get shopping while Mary made tea and their other children Henry, now aged six, and Arthur, now five, played outside.

While Mary's back was turned, Freddie tipped a plastic cup full of freshly boiled water over himself.

Mary said: "I turned round for a split second and Freddie who was behind me grabbed one of the plastic mugs of hot water."

Mary instinctively doused Freddie in cold water and took off his top. She sent a friend's daughter to raise the alarm, wrapped Freddie in a wet towel and took him to hospital in Truro.

Mary urged other parents to take a basic first aid course.

She said: "We haven't got eyes in the back of our heads. Freddie's accident happened in a flash and a parent always feels guilty when they see their child suffering."

Mary was told she was correct to douse Freddie in water, but she should have cut away his top leaving the areas where it stuck to his skin.

Freddie was taken to Bristol's Frenchay Hospital and spent 10 days in intensive care before moving to the burns unit at Pinderfield's Hospital in Wakefield.

Freddie has made a good recovery and now has scarring only on his shoulder and collar bone.

Mary, a part-time hairdresser and former Huddersfield Technical College lecturer, said: "Freddie was lucky, he escaped any major physical scars and although he did have an operation, this did not involve skin grafts or plastic surgery.

"We were lucky and I am eternally grateful for all the surgeons, doctors and nurses involved with Freddie."

As a thank you, Mary and Matt, who works as a farrier, have organised a charity ball at the Cedar Court Hotel at Ainley Top.

The Fab and Funky Ball, due to take place on Saturday, will feature Huddersfield band The Po'Boys.

Mary's brother - former superbike champion Jamie Whitham - is drummer in the band.