A schoolboy scarred for life after being attacked by an XL Bully has received a heartwarming letter from his Rangers heroes.
Teddy Kerr was forced to have his face reconstructed after the beast tore into his head and body at a house in Paisley earlier this month.
The Record previously told how the five-year-old suffered life-changing injuries. Teddy received over 100 stitches after the brutal attack at an address in the town’s Greenbank Street on Sunday, November 4.
The Rangers-daft primary one pupil was sent a gift from Ibrox, including a personal letter from captain James Tavernier.
Teddy was also gifted two tickets to watch theGers take on Dundee United at Ibrox on Saturday, along with a personalised replica of this season’s third kit, with Teddy 5 printed on the back.
The letter to Teddy reads: “Dear Teddy, I have heard you are a huge Rangers supporter and you have been through a tough time. On behalf of all the players and staff at Rangers Football Club, I would like to take this opportunity to send you our very best wishes.”
An adorable video shows Teddy’s response when he says “thank you Tavvy”.
Marion Hanratty, a season-ticket holder at Ibrox, told how her grandson’s story was shared widely amongst supporters online. A member of Ibrox security caught wind of Teddy’s brave recovery and reached out to club officials to deliver the kind gesture. Teddy also received a get well soon card from the security staff at the stadium.
Marion told the Record: “Getting a letter from James Tavernier means absolutely everything to Teddy. He smiled for the first time in weeks. He got quite emotional he started crying. He was just overfilled with joy. He’s been through so much, he’s been afraid to leave the house unless its dark so folk don’t see him and see his scars.
“But he’s so excited to go to Ibrox now, he loves Rangers and Tav is his hero. When I opened the package, my eyes filled up with tears. It is just such an incredible gesture. We’re so grateful. We’re overwhelmed by all the love and support we’ve had for Teddy.”
Teddy was discharged from the Royal Hospital for Sick Children on Thursday, November 7 – four days after the attack. Teddy had been visiting family friends with his mum, Chelsey, 32, and sisters, Brooke, 10 and Taylor, 9, when the dog pounced on him and ripped into his back before locking its jaws onto his cheek.
Now recovering at home, Teddy is desperate to return to school. Marion has told how all his classmates at Langcraigs Primary made personal get well soon cards for her grandson.
Marion added: “Teddy has a long recovery ahead of him. He’s booked in for loads of follow-up appointments to see if he will need any more surgery. We’re trying to build his confidence back up. I keep telling him what a handsome boy he still is. He can’t wait to go back to school. Every child in his class made him a letter. He misses them all.”
The dog was destroyed following the attack and a 41-year-old man was charged in connection with the incident.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 8.05pm on Sunday, 3 November, 2024, police received a report a 5-year-old child had been attacked by a dog in Greenbank Drive, Paisley. The child was taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital and the dog was seized. The dog has been destroyed.”
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