Rachel and Shaun McLellan yesterday received $200 in cash from an anonymous donor, who directed the money and a brief note to the Otago Daily Times office in Alexandra, with instructions to forward it to the McLellans.
In the note, the donor stated they were moved by an article on the McLellans, which was published in the ODT on October 11.
"This is my response. Please forward it to the McLellan family," the note stated.
Mrs McLellan said she was extremely grateful for the donation, and humbled by the gesture.
"It just goes to show there are still good people out there. We're overwhelmed to receive it," she said.
Although appreciative of the donation, Mr and Mrs McLellan decided to give it to the New Zealand Prader-Willi Syndrome Association, where it would be used to help children who could not receive treatment.
"We consider ourselves very lucky to be able to provide Tom's treatment, and we would like this money to go towards helping children whose parents struggle to pay for the growth hormone," Mrs McLellan said.
She said community support and positive response following the article had been widespread throughout Alexandra, and the family was grateful to all those who had expressed their good wishes.