Boys to the rescue

Published on Friday 24 July 2009 09:43

KIDS today – what are they like? Nothing like as bad as they are painted if you take three Duddingston lads as an example.

As we report today, teenagers John Clifford, Alex Scott and Dylan McCallum were all involved in the dramatic hospitalisation of a pensioner, Evelyn Fraser. But the boys didn't do anything to hurt the 79-year-old or even scare her – they saved her life.

Mrs Fraser collapsed in her garden, apparently because of a heart condition. She might well have died had John and Clifford, both 14, and Dylan, 13, not come to the rescue.

Two of the lads administered first aid, while the third went to raise the alarm. They then helped as a neighbour made sure Mrs Fraser didn't choke and put her in the recovery position.

Mrs Fraser's daughter, Pamela Lynch, is absolutely right when she says that the incident shows how wrong society can be when it makes assumptions about young people – especially teenage boys.

The trio – who, like so many youths, favour the sportswear and "hoodies" which frighten some older people – have even popped in to see Mrs Fraser in hospital, where she is waiting for heart surgery.

Yes, there are bad kids out there. But most of them are no trouble at all. And none deserve to be treated with suspicion just because of the way they look or the way they talk to one another.

Welcome home?

IT has been suggested that Sir Fred Goodwin may soon return from his Continental bolthole to try to re-establish his life in Edinburgh.

This was pre-empted by a very brief visit to Britain earlier this week, which friends suggested was a precursor to a permanent return in time for his children's return to school in August.

If the Goodwins do return then it is to be hoped there is no repeat of the attack on their Victorian home in March – the neighbours featured in today's News will certainly hope so.

Such violence and intimidation is never excusable, especially when it impacts on innocent parties such as Sir Fred's wife and children.

But Sir Fred cannot expect to be left entirely alone. He still has questions to answer over his role in the collapse of the Royal Bank of Scotland. Accepting a cut in annual pension from 555,000 to "just" 342,000 was a start.

But many will continue to question his right to retain his knighthood, and to acquire any lucrative new jobs or non-executive directorships.