There a lot of depressing news stories doing the rounds at the moment from long-term problems like the Euro Zone crisis and fears of recession, to more recent stories like the PIP breast implants and the 16 deaths after the Costa Concordia hit rocks on the shore of Italy.

Having spent the Christmas period back home in Ipswich, I, like many locals watching TV or buying a local newspaper have come across the story of local seven year-old Mason Fountain.

In April 2010 Mason was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour and has gone through 20 months of chemotherapy, and made countless visits to hospital. Rather than worry about his own health – he regularly suffers from aches, pains and tiredness, the Ipswich schoolboy has set up a foundation to help other children in the same situation.

After starting a twitter account less than a month ago, Mason has gained more than 10,000 followers, inspiring people to raise £4,000 so far for Brain Tumour UK, with the likes of Peter Andre, Gordon Ramsey and Ricky Gervais all backing his campaign.

Mason is also set to launch Mason’s Magic, his very own charity, in March saying: “My aim is to gain support with the help of my family and to raise as much money as possible so that we can make other children’s wishes come true.”

Family friend and brain tumour patient, Angela Gregg, 45, said: “It’s amazing what Mason has achieved in raising awareness of the condition.

“Being positive is his logo. He’s always smiling. He is just very caring and wants to give something to others.”

In a world where most news is full of gossip, news of economic woes and job cuts it’s important to remind ourselves that social media and journalism can collaborate to spread good news stories too.

It’s brilliant that social media, like Twitter, can be used in such a way as to spread awareness of charities. But what’s even more brilliant is that earlier this month Mason was told his tumour had shrunk by 20%.

For more information you can follow Mason on Twitter @masonmagic or donate at justgiving.com/masonsmagic