An Angus family’s dream will come true when their inspirational twins walk through the school gates.
Ayley and Chloe Hirsch’s first day at school will cap what has been a memorable few years for the popular Carnoustie family.
The five-year-old twins, who suffer from cerebral palsy, were unable to walk before parents Averil and Frazer launched a battle to raise funds for life-changing surgery in February 2011.
Averil was unaware of the surgery before reading in The Courier how Perthshire toddler Jack McNaughton, who suffered from the same condition, had got his mobility back after being operated on in the US following a fundraising drive.
Help Ayley and Chloe Walk was then born after the Hirsches had an emotional meeting with the McNaughtons.
Inspired by Jack’s story, Averil and Frazer had set themselves the target of £80,000, but more than £175,000 flooded in from the community for the youngsters.
Dr T.S. Park operated on Ayley and Chloe in January 2012 at St Louis Children’s Hospital in Missouri and their lives have been transformed.
Averil’s dream when she launched the campaign was to see the girls walk through the gates together when they started school.
She told The Courier: “We are an extremely proud family ahead of the girls starting primary one at Carlogie.
“Our goal and dream was for both girls to be walking through the school gates together and they have achieved this amazing target. I am so proud of them for the hard work they have put in since they underwent surgery and this is a truly amazing time for our family.
“Just like all the other mums whose children are starting school this week, I am an emotional wreck.
“We, as a family, can’t thank everyone enough for all the support and care they have given our girls. We are truly grateful to each and every one of them.”
Averil said the twins keep getting stronger every day and continue to amaze them with their progress. Ayley is walking, running and jumping, while Chloe is able to walk short distances in her walking frame.
Averil added: “They still require physio and therapy, which they will do after school each week, but this is part of their lives now and they understand that.
“We’ve been on an incredible journey since we launched the campaign and this will be a day that lives long in the memory.”
The family went back to the US to see Dr Park earlier this year and he was pleased with how they are progressing.
Ayley and Chloe have also been enjoying building up their strength on horseback at the Brae Riding for the Disabled centre, outside Dundee.