A Carnoustie girl who achieved her dream of riding a bike has been hailed by the 95-year-old man who inspired Sir Chris Hoy to Olympic glory.
The Courier last week told how eight-year-old cerebral palsy sufferer Brooke Ramsay took to the saddle unaided for the first time just nine months after a life-changing operation.
Brooke was the first Scottish child to undergo selective dorsal rhizotomy which involves cutting nerves to eliminate spasticity in limbs in a UK hospital.
Our story and picture of Brooke prompted Carnoustie pensioner Andy Coogan to pen a “treasured” letter to the Ramsay family.
Mr Coogan is a Scottish author, Second World War veteran and former champion runner who met Brooke last year and has followed her journey.
He was also nominated to carry the Olympic flame on part of its journey across Britain by his great-nephew Sir Chris last year.
Brooke’s dad Stewart (39) said: “Brooke met him last year when he visited the school to show the children the torch and she and Amy were really taken with him.
“We received a letter from Andy, and also from his daughter Jean, that amazed us and brought a huge smile to our faces when we read them.
“Andy told Brooke how happy he was to read that she had biked unaided and that he would tell Chris Hoy and he had better watch out.
“He told her that he had been inspired to get his own bike out the shed. He recalled their meeting at the school and wished her all the best.
“Jean was also at the school that day and said they followed Brooke’s journey and were inspired by her.”
Before the Second World War, Mr Coogan was one of Scotland’s best runners. However, he never regained his form after almost four years of starvation and torture at the hands of the Japanese.
When he finally returned home, he weighed just six stone and later missed out on selection for the British team at the 1948 Olympics in London.
Stewart and wife Laura (33) said they could not thank Andy and Jean enough for the letters with such kind words.
“We will treasure them,” he said.