Murdered man David Haines was hailed as a hero and a true inspiration at a poignant service held at his old school.
The Rev Jim Stewart led tributes to the 44-year-old aid worker at a ceremony in Perth Academy, just days after a video of his brutal murder was posted online by Islamic terrorists.
Mr Haines was described as a man of care and compassion during Monday’s special assembly.
“David was making a difference to people by bringing them hope and help at their mostvulnerable time,” Mr Stewart told pupils.
“He truly was an inspiration to his family and to those whom he helped and as David Cameron, the Prime Minister, said: ‘David was a true British hero’.”
Mr Stewart added: “The shock felt by our friends in the local Muslim community over this atrocity is very real.
“The people of Perth are generous and will stand with the Muslim community, who are just ashorrified as we are over these actions.
“Perth Academy stands together with the Haines family at this distressing time. Our love, thoughts and prayers go to them.”
The school’s rector John Lothian added:“The Perth Academycommunity is extremely saddened to learn of the murder of David Haines over the weekend at the hands of Isis.
“David was a former pupil of Perth Academyand father to one of ourstudents.
“The news of David’s death has created a real sense of shock and disbelief in the hearts of so many people.David was known as a man of care and compassion.”
Mr Haines’ 17-year-old daughter Bethany, who attends the academy, said in an online statement that she was “really touched by the messages of support during this hard time”.
She added: “I know my dad would be really touched and grateful.”
Another local minister, the Rev Gordon Campbell of PerthCongregational Church,of which Mr Haines wasa member, also paidtribute.
He said: “He was a well-loved and respected member of our congregation and a fine man of God.
“The aid work which he was engaged in when he was taken was his life. A lot of people connected with the church have goodmemories of him.
“Our hearts go out to them all.”
Mr Campbell added: “Often when you hear news like this you appreciateit’s terrible, but when ithappens to someone you know it makes the situation very real.
“It is no longer aboutstatistics, it’s about anindividual. This reminds us that major international news can have shocking, local consequences.”
Mr Haines, who also has a young daughter with a second wife, was born in East Yorkshire and grew up in Perth.
At 17, he followed his father’s footsteps into the RAF and served as anaircraft engineer.