Fergus, 12, hits the right note
Schoolboy piper plays for old folks locked down by coronavirus
A thoughtful young piper has been lifting the spirits of care home residents across Renfrewshire with special garden performances during lockdown.
Fergus Dorrington, 12, from Howwood, has been putting smiles on the faces of elderly people stuck inside during the Covid- 19 pandemic.
The Johnstone High pupil, who has been playing the pipes for about a year, took it upon himself to keep the residents at homes in Johnstone, Elderslie and Beith entertained.
Proud mum Rhona, who is a care worker at Kibble, said Fergus, who is still attending school as his parents are both key workers, felt like he had to do something to help.
She told the Paisley Daily Express: “He had been practicing in the garden for couple of our elderly neighbours, then my husband Peter saw on Facebook a man dressed in full kilt playing at an old folks home, so Fergus decided he wanted to do that.
“So the first one he played was Wallace Court in Elderslie, where he played for 15 minutes or so.
“We are really proud of him. He’s now done four care homes and people have been in touch to invite him to do more.”
Fergus, who plays in Johnstone Pipe Band, is now eyeing up more performances.
Rhona added: “The feedback he has been getting has been really positive. Someone was in touch to say the old people were up dancing.
“And residents at Wallace Court actually sent him £20 pocket money to say thank you.”
His mums says Fergus has a good grasp on the seriousness of the pandemic.
She said: “Because he is at school still as we are key workers he is hearing more about it. He is aware how serious it is, particularly for older people who are isolated right now, with almost no contact with the outside world, with no visitors and in full quarantine.
“We are so proud of him for wanting do something like this off his own back to cheer them all up and keep their spirits up.
“He plans to do more over the next few weeks as well.”
We are so proud of him for wanting do something like this off his own back to cheer them all up and keep their spirits up