Annie’s calm inspired award

IN 2013 Annie saved her family during a house fire at their old home in Inveresk.

She said: “Annie saved our lives. She woke up at 10 to three and couldn’t breathe. She woke my husband Robin who went immediately to see.”

Annie bravely led her mother outside while Robin went to rescue a family friend staying in a different area of the house.

Sophie said: “There was a minute or so we didn’t know if we’d ever see Robin and our friend again.

“It took 19 firemen three hours to put the fire out.

“We were in our pyjamas, but Annie was completely calm.

“I said, ‘You were amazing, how come?’ and she said, ‘That’s what they teach at boarding school. They teach you to stay calm and get out’, and that’s exactly what she did.”

Annie went to a weekly boarding school, The New School, Butterstone in Perthshire, for pupils with additional support needs.

Annie’s heroism inspired an award, TADHA, The Annie Dow Heroism Award, to be set up in her name for acts of bravery among people under 30 who need extra support.

Sophie said: “She doesn’t talk about saving our lives.”