Garage fixes cancer battler's car for free
THE family of a teenager in remission from a rare form of cancer have praised the generosity of a Dornoch garage operator who repaired the youngster’s damaged car for free.
Kevin Mclennan, who runs Dornoch MOT Centre, stepped in when 17-year-old Terry Stirling crashed his Ford Fiesta just four months after passing his test.
Terry, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) two years ago and whose parents are unemployed, feared he could not afford to have the vehicle repaired.
But Kevin persuaded his suppliers to provide parts without charge and he repaired the vehicle for free.
And a delighted Terry is mobile again after picking up the good-as-new car on Tuesday.
The teen’s parents, Terry Stirling senior and Jacqueline Noble, who live at Milnafua, Alness, say they cannot thank Kevin enough.
Jacqueline said: "Kevin has been fantastic and has fixed everything for nothing. You just don’t expect anybody to do something like this for you."
Terry was diagnosed with ALL in 2012 when he was just 15. He has received treatment from Yorkhill Hospital, Glasgow, and is currently in remission.
The youngster has just completed a construction course at Inverness College and is due to start on a plumbing and pipe fitting course in the autumn.
His mum said: "Terry won’t let anything, including his illness, hold him back."
Terry passed his driving test at the start of the year and purchased his Ford Fiesta shortly afterwards with help from his parents.
Jacqueline said: "He’d had the car for four months when he went fishing one day and crashed the car on his way home.
He was driving down the Ardross road in pouring rain and came to grief on a corner.
"The car swerved and crashed into a fence. We thought it was a write-off."
Garage operator Kevin, who also lives in Milnafua and knows the Stirlings well, said the Fiesta was badly damaged with a smashed front bumper and radiator as well as a damaged front suspension, wheel bearing and shock absorbers.
He said: "I had a look at the car and just came up with the idea of phoning round our suppliers to see if any of them would like to help.
"Euro Car Parts In Inverness donated a brand new bumper, grills and radiator as well as a starting motor and Dingbro Ltd, also of Inverness, donated a front suspension strut as well as track rod ends, drop links, and a wheel bearing.
"A friend of mine, Scott Riddler from Evanton, does car painting and offered to paint the front bumper for free."
Kevin added: "The family saved up to buy Terry a car and just weeks later he goes off the road. It must have been very downheartening for him, particularly as he is still travelling up and down to Yorkhill.
I just feel that anybody who has come through what Terry has deserves a break."
