Poignant beach trip for wheelchair-bound Easter Ross man following big-hearted Alness community campaign during lockdown
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A YOUNG Easter Ross man whose community helped raise money for a special all-terrain wheelchair during the coronavirus crisis has made his first visit to a beach since he was a toddler.
Dylan Bogue (22), from Alness, had not been to a beach since he was carried there in his dad's arms.
Last week he changed all that when he made a trip to Nairn beach.
Last year the community rallied round to raise more than £22,000 during the lockdown to pay for a specialist wheelchair, after his long-serving NHS one ran out of steam after an hour following charging.
Mr Bogue, who has just had his second birthday in lockdown, said: "It felt great to be on the beach.
"It is the first time I've been on the beach since I went there as a child with my dad.
"I loved it."
Mr Bogue who lives with the condition Duchenne muscular dystrophy, has been seriously ill over the winter, but was determined to make it to the beach as soon as there was good weather.
Karen Brownlie, his aunt and carer, said: "Dylan had the biggest smile you can imagine when he got onto the beach. I don't know if he knew himself just how much he was enjoying being there. He was just loving it.
"Being in his new wheelchair it was no bother, we just could not have attempted it in his last wheelchair.
"It was amazing to see just how happy he was."
She continued: "I can not thank everyone for all the support you gave us to get Dylan his wheelchair. We had thought it would take a few years, and because of people's kindness it only took a few months in the end. Thank you."
Lockdown campaign helps Easter Ross man dramatically broaden his horizons