This is a moving story which we have picked up from the John O’Groats Journal and Caithness Courier stands synonymous for all those inspirational memories that the Commonwealth Games have created and will live on in the hearts, minds and diaries of young people across Scotland.
You must read to the end!

“A NUMBER of pupils from Hillhead Primary in Wick have returned to school after the summer break to receive postcards from athletes and coaches who participated in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

The school participated in the Game On Scotland athletes’ village art competition where pupil artwork was produced to decorate the bedrooms of the athletes and team members who attended the games.

Each piece of work was accompanied by a stamped, addressed postcard and the school had produced special postcards which showed the pupil with their work.

From the 12 pupils who submitted pictures, the school received seven replies. Beverley Jones, a para long jump medallist, and Carys Parry, a Welsh hammer thrower, wrote back to Primary 7 pupil James Thain and Primary 3 pupil Milissa Keenan.

The English gymnastic team responded well to the initiative. Primary 7 pupils Tyler Orbell, Kevin Plowman and Emma Hamilton received cards back from the team manager, Mike Weinstock, and coach Liz Kincaid who said: “Hi Emma, thank you for your gymnastics picture. I am afraid you didn’t get a famous gymnast but the team England coach… I love the picture.”

England’s double gold gymnastic medallist Becky Downie wrote back to Primary 7 pupil Joshua Frain saying: “Thank you so much for the lovely picture and making me smile when I first entered my room.”

The English gymnastic star Kristian Thomas, who won a gold and two silver medals, sent a postcard to Primary 3 pupil Eilidh Forbes which said: “Thanks for the great drawing. It looked brilliant on my wall above my bed.” He also e-mailed a photograph of himself holding Eilidh’s picture to the school.

In the accompanying note he wrote, “Just want to say a big thank you to Eilidh Forbes for the fantastic drawing. It was displayed in my room at the Commonwealth Games and definitely encouraged me to go win my medals!”

This has special relevance for Eilidh as along with her mum, dad, brother Calum and sister Lena she was a spectator at the gymnastics events in Glasgow when Thomas won his two silver medals. At the time she was completely unaware that her picture hung in the athlete’s bedroom.”