A CHRISTENING service is a milestone in the life of any child.

But for the family of a little boy from St Leonards suffering from a chronic skin condition, the ceremony at the parish’s All Saints church on Sunday took on an added significance.

Nineteen-month-old Mason White was born with the genetic skin blistering condition epidermolysis bullosa. A lack of collagen means the slightest friction damages skin.

Mason’s mother, Kerry Cotton, said her family had waited more than a year for her son to be well enough for the service.

“It’s been amazing. This time last year we thought we were going to lose him. We invited about 140 people, including some of the respite nurses who’ve helped to care for him from the beginning,” said Kerry.

Now the family is looking forward to an appearance on the ITV programme This Morning, on which Kerry and Mason will be joined by leading consultant Jacqueline Denyer.

“The main purpose is to raise awareness of the condition. You never know who will be watching and may be able to help with fundraising,” said Kerry.

“The Echo coverage has helped us enormously. People who recognise Mason understand his condition. We had been asked if we burned him, which was very distressing.”

Specialists are working on “fibroblast” injections of collagen, which have allowed wounds from the disease to heal in adults for up to six months.

Mason spent Easter in Great Ormond Street Hospital for an operation to prevent saliva from leaking into his lungs. His personality helped him to overcome the physical rigours of the treatment, said his mum.

“When he came round from the operation, they allowed us to take him home the same night,” she said.

“Mason’s the happiest child I know. He makes us happy, and he sees us smiling, which makes him happy.”

An edition of This Morning featuring Kerry and Mason will be broadcast live on Friday May 21.