An heroic act that deserves praise
A WINDOW cleaner tells ‘The Scot’ this week of his valiant effort to save a pensioner from his burning home. Neil Fullerton entered the house at Burghead three times after breaking a window and climbing in, but was eventually beaten back by the thick smoke.
“I put my hat over my face and it was only the third time when I went in that I could see David (Carpenter) lying there in the living room. I tried to pull him out but the smoke was thick. I just did my best.”
Indeed you did, Neil; you did more than many people would have been able to do. It was an heroic act.
Poor David Carpenter, a local character by all accounts who lived a solitary life, had, according to neighbours, not been in great health of late. It was a tragic ending for him.
We should be grateful to the likes of Neil Fullerton who are prepared to put their life on the line for others. Some may say he was foolhardy to try to mount a rescue bid before the emergency services arrived, but instinct kicked in and he felt compelled to act.
We are relieved that he emerged safe and well. Neil is a hero, an unassuming one, and deserves praise for what he did.
Keep a sharp eye on rural areas
IS THERE anything that’s not on a thief’s shopping list? Two unused 10ft high septic tanks have been taken from a building site near Roseisle, and according to developer Peter Smith a wagon and crane, or a gang of men, would have been needed to lift them onto a trailer. Being a secluded location, no one appears to have seen anything.
Our rural areas are vulnerable as never before, under increasing threat from mean thieves intent on stealing machinery, vehicles, livestock, heating oil, diesel; we have even reported recently on quail and budgies being taken.
Thieves rely a lot on luck, on not being glimpsed either in the act or in behaving suspiciously in an area. They cannot be sure they won’t be seen, and we have to use that fear to deter them from carrying out their pathetic deeds.
We all have a part to play in being the eyes and ears of the countryside, whether living there, visiting, out walking or driving past. If your suspicions are raised call the police. They need our help to catch the culprits, so don’t hesitate.
People in the country deserve to feel safe, and we can all help to make them feel like that.
Support project is focusing on autism
A MOVE to provide innovative support for young people with autism and other complex needs in Moray is to be applauded. Moray Council has commissioned Scottish Autism to help up to seven youngsters aged 12 to 18, in partnership with their families, and an autism teacher and support worker are to be appointed to work in schools.
Many of us know little about autism, but families are living with it and in some cases struggling to cope. They need all the help they can get. It is hoped this initiative will do just that, and as we report more on it we will also learn to understand what autism is.
A series of seminars is also being organised for social workers, teachers, educational psychologists, carers and parents. Moray Council, in tandem with Scottish Autism, is taking a lead and looking at what they can do to benefit families in Moray, being a model for other parts of Scotland.
