HE defied medical odds to survive severe burns suffered in the gas blast that killed his parents and brother.

Today little Mohammad Sudais is celebrating his third birthday as he prepares for another major milestone, his first day at nursery.

Speaking before a family party last night, his uncle Mohammad Asif, who cares for the youngster at his Glasgow home, said: “We all thought we would never see this day.

“We can never say enough to thank the Scottish people and the Scottish Government for what they have done for him.”

The Afghan youngster, known as Sudais, was brought to Scotland for life-saving treatment after the explosion that devastated his home in Pakistan.

He was just two months old when the incident happened and doctors in Pakistan said they were unable to help him. However, a campaign by uncle Asif and charity Positive Action in Housing raised more than £17,000 to bring him to Scotland for expert treatment.

Sudais, who then weighed only 6.6lbs (3kg), has since undergone 13 operations and faces further surgery on his face as he grows.

But last night he forgot doctors and hospitals to mark his third birthday with family in Carmyle. Asif, a human rights activist and translator, said: “When he arrived in Scotland in 2014 he was just like a medium-size chicken. Now he’s quite a big boy and he’s running around.

“I cried when I thought about all that we have done for him. He’s a happy boy and he gets angry and upset just like any other boy. That keeps us going.”

The family was targeted by a stranger who hurled religiously-prejudiced threats at Sudais earlier this year, but went on to forgive the culprit. Asif, who arrived in Scotland as a refugee, said this was an isolated incident and Sudais – dubbed “Scotland’s baby” in the press – regularly benefits from support and kindness from the public.

He said: “I was taking him to Asda on the bus yesterday and a pensioner on the bus asked ‘is this the boy who came to Scotland?’ I said yes and she gave him five pounds to buy himself something.

“That’s the kind of love he gets. I feel so lucky to live in a country where people really care about each other.”

Meanwhile, the family, including aunt Naseema and four older cousins, is now preparing for Sudais’ first day at nursery next week.

His enrolment at a local centre follows detailed discussions about his social and medical needs and will allow him to mix regularly with his peers for the first time.

Asif said: “He’s very happy. One thing he’s deprived of is children because of his condition. Nursery will be a good change for him.

“We have some sort of worry in our heads about what if other children don’t want to play with him because of his appearance. Hopefully the nursery will be ready for that and know what to do.”

Sudais lost his father Mohammad Ameen, 30, mother Sumaira, 28, and 13-month-old brother Abdul Haseeb when the explosion happened in their Peshawar home.

He continues to suffer night terrors but his health is making good progress and he visited Holyrood with his Glasgow family earlier this year to thank First Minister Nicola Sturgeon for the support of the Scottish public and services.