Bridge of Don family celebrate Dons fan Fraser Duncan's kindness award for helping his grandad
But that was before the 10-year-old from Bridge of Don realised he was actually there to pick up an award. Helping grandad led to kindness award for Fraser
Nominated for a Random Acts of Kindness prize by his mum, Dons fan Fraser was the only child to receive a trophy at a special evening recognising big-hearted Aberdeen fans.
The initiative, organised by Berriedale Funeral Home, Gary Walker Wealth Management, and Aberdeen Football Club, saw scores of nominations come in for AFC supporters who had 'spread kindness' or who went 'the extra mile' for their communities. Fraser Duncan with mum Alison, with his RAOK award. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson
'I didn't think a child would win,' said Alison Duncan, a former secondary school teacher. 'But I thought it would be nice for me to tell Fraser I had nominated him.
'On the form I wrote about how he had been recognised at school for his kindness towards other pupils, and how he'd supported his grandfather throughout his battle with Alzheimer's.
'I was thrilled to hear Fraser had won. I'm so proud of him. The hardest part was keeping it a secret.' Special night was 'cool' surprise for Greenbrae pupil
Dressed in his Dons shirt, Alison told Fraser he was going to the stadium for a behind-the-scenes tour.
In reality they were heading for Pittodrie's Madri Lounge, where they met other winners and the likes of Aberdeen FC CEO Alan Burrows, and first-team star Dimitar Mitov. Fraser Duncan with AFC goalkeeper Mitov, in the Pittdorie locker room.
'Fraser recognised Mitov right away. It was an amazing night,' Alison added.
But how was it for Fraser?
'Really cool. I was very surprised.
'And I was happy, especially because it was about my grandad.' 'Dad and Fraser had such a special bond'
David Christie, Fraser's grandfather, sadly died last summer, but before he passed away Fraser became a special support to him.
'Dad's Alzheimer's was very tough to watch. Fraser always had a special bond with his grandad but he seemed to be able to connect to him in such a special way throughout this,' she explained. Little Fraser with his grandfather David Christie, from Montrose.
'I used to kick a ball back and forth with grandad, and even when he wasn't able to do that we would play catch,' said Fraser.
'He continued to recognise Fraser throughout his illness too. Their relationship was special.' 'He'll be in his element when he's Dons mascot'
And Fraser's commitment to Alzheimer's doesn't end there.
With the help of mum and dad, Gary – who works in oil and gas – Fraser has been writing books to sell to friends and family.
Inspired by his snowman and penguin toys he's raised an impressive £30 already for Alzheimer's Research. Fraser with one of the books he's written to raise charity funds. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson
As well as a glass trophy part of Fraser's prize is to be a mascot for the first team at a match.
'Fraser loves to collect autographs of his favourite players. He'll be in his element that day for sure,' added Alison. 'Giving back is what it's all about'
Stephen Westall from Berriedale Funerals, who helped create the awards scheme, said he was delighted to see how much the award meant to Fraser. Kind-hearted Fraser Duncan from Greenbrae Primary School, Bridge of Don. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson
'That's what it's all about. We are thrilled to be able to put something back into our community. And to recognise the generosity and kindness of people like Fraser makes it even more special.' Read the story of Fraser's fellow winner, Jackie Moonie, here.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Press and Journal
a day ago
- Press and Journal
Aberdeen summer signing performances assessed as Jimmy Thelin's new look side edge past Cove Rangers 2-0
Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin handed debuts to five of his six summer transfer window signings in a 2-0 friendly win against Cove Rangers. For the Dons supporters in the sell-out 3,200 crowd, a record attendance at the Balmoral Stadium, it was the first chance to see the new additions in action. Thelin handed debuts to winger Nicolas Milanovic, striker Kusini Yengi, midfielders Adil Aouchiche, Kjartan Már Kjartansson and keeper Nick Suman. Summer signing Emmanuel Gyamfi, signed from German Bundesliga 2 side Schalke, was not in the squad due to injury. Ante Palaversa and Nicky Devlin netted either side of half-time against a Cove Rangers side who were brave in possession and created chances. This was Aberdeen's first game since the Scottish Cup final triumph against Celtic in May, and of the new additions Milanovic and Kjartansson were the stand-outs. Thelin is closing in on more additions to strengthen for a campaign with guaranteed European league action. Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin handed starts to Yengi and Milanovic. Milanovic, 23, operated on the right wing in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Yengi, 26, leading the attack ahead of teen Fletcher Boyd who was central in the midfield three. Australian Milanovic delivered an impressive debut performance, but should have scored, before being one of eight substitutions at half-time. Milanovic arrived at Pittodrie this summer on a high having been awarded the prestigious A-League Player of the Year award, and looks fired up to keep up that momentum. Signed for a fee of around £400,000 from Western Sydney Wanderers the winger also secured a debut call-up to the Australian national squad in May. After only 45 minutes of a friendly against a League One side it is very early days, but Milanovic could be a bargain buy at £400,000. He looked sharp in possession and was denied a quick-fire debut goal in the 17th minute when racing onto an Alexander Jensen through-ball. The winger read the situation well to burst onto the pass before unleashing a powerful low drive from 10 yards. To Milanovic's frustration the shot was blocked at the near post by keeper Robbie Mutch. Milanovic looked particularly dangerous when cutting inside onto his left, and in the 28th minute fired a 20 yard effort wide of the far-post. The woodwork denied the summer signing when he raced onto a low drive across goal from Yengi. His shot from close range cracked off the woodwork and went over. He should have scored. Milanovic looked a threat when dribbling wide and again cut inside and shot from distance, in the 40th minute, but his 25 yard drive went wide. The winger also impressed defensively and tracked back on a number of occasions to win possession. Fellow Australian Yengi was also substituted off at half-time after a solid debut. Former Portsmouth striker Yengi was signed to bolster an attack now minus loan stars Kevin Nisbet (Millwall) and Oday Dabbagh (Charleroi) who returned to their parent club. The 11-times capped international striker came close to an assist when his perfectly timed curved run sprung the defence to latch onto a Boyd through-ball. Yengi had the option to shoot from an acute tight angle with only the keeper to beat but showed impressive awareness to pick out the run of Milanovic. He rolled a pass to the onrushing Milanovic who hit the bar. Aberdeen boss Thelin introduced three further summer signings at half-time for debuts – midfielders Aouchiche, Kjartansson and Suman. French attacking midfielder Aouchiche was secured on a season-long loan from Sunderland and displayed his range of passing against Cove. Aberdeen have an option to buy the 22-year-old former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, next summer, understood to be for a club record fee of £1.5million. Auchiche played in the centre of a midfield three. Midway through the second half he collected the ball under pressure on the left, retained possession then calmly looked up to assess the flow of the game. Aouchiche then pinged a superb cross-field pass directly into the path of Jensen racing down the right-flank. It was a glimpse of the midfielder' composure and game vision. In the 80th minute the French winger slid a through-ball to the onrushing Vicente Besuijen that ripped open the Cove defence. However Besuijen was judged to be marginally offside. Aouchiche played a role in second goal when he instigated the attack with a perfectly judged pass to Gueye who rolled to Devlin to score. Iceland midfielder Kjartansson was secured on a four-year deal from Stjarnan for an undisclosed fee and brings a real physical presence to Aberdeen. He is powerful and aggressive in the challenge but physicality is only a fraction of his game. The Icelandic international reads the game extremely well to intercept passes, is composed and plays with a maturity beyond his years. A No.6 holding midfielder he will be viewed as the long-term replacement for veterans Sivert-Heltne Nilsen and Graeme Shinnie. For keeper Suman it was a rapid return to the Balmoral Stadium having played for Cove Rangers last season. Australian Suman was vocal, commanded his box and delivered a confident performance. He marked his Aberdeen debut with a clean sheet. Aberdeen created the first chance via a Milanovic shot then in the 20th minute Cove had a rasping 20 yard drive from a trialist saved by keeper Dimitar Mitov. The opener came in the 23rd minute when captain Graeme Shinnie, operating at left-back, squared a low pass to Ante Palaversa. Midfielder fired a low 20-yard left-footed drive beyond keeper Mutch. The woodwork denied the Dons a second when Milanovic cracked the crossbar with a close range shot in the 35th minute. On the stroke of half-time Mitov saved from Fraser Fyvie with the loose ball falling to David Eguaibor who kneed an effort from six yards. Mats Knoester cleared the effort off the line. In the 55th minute a curling effort from Pape Gueye was tipped over the bar by Cove keeper Balint Demus. Cove threatened in the 75th minute when Eguaibor fired wide from 20 yards. Aberdeen made it 2-0 with the last kick of the game when Nicky collected a pass from Gueye before firing home. : Mitov (Suman 46); Jensen, Milne (Molloy 46), Knoester, Shinnie (Devlin 46); Palaversa (Kjartansson 46), Clarkson (To 80); Milanovic (Morris 46), Boyd (Auchiche 46), Keskinen (Besuijen 46); Yengi (Gueye 46) : Mutch (Demus 46); Bisland, Trialist, Parker, Darge; Glass (Donaldson 79), Megginson (McGrath 63), Fyvie (Milnes 79) , Strachan; Equaibor, Trialist (Ochmanski 63) Referee: Greg Soutar Man-of-the-Match: Nicolas Milanovic (Aberdeen) Attendance: 3,200
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Daily Record
PSG president writes Aberdeen a glowing letter after decking Celtic as Scottish Cup exploits impress world's best
The Dons ended a 35-year wait to lift the trophy back in May and the accomplishment has not gone unnoticed in wider football circles Dave Cormack has revealed he received a personal letter of congratulations from Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi following Aberdeen's shock Scottish Cup triumph over Celtic. Against all the odds, Jimmy Thelin 's men fought back from a goal down to win the trophy for the first time since 1990 via a penalty shootout, with Dimtar Mitov keeping out Alistair Johnston 's spot-kick to send the Red Army inside the national stadium wild. That victory has also guaranteed the club a European campaign next season that will last until Christmas at the earliest, with the Reds entering the play-off qualification stage of the Europa League next month. An estimated 100,000 people lined the streets of Aberdeen on the following day to welcome their heroes home as Cormack, Thelin and the players paraded the trophy along Union Street. As well as reigning Champions League winners PSG -taking notice, the Atlanta-based software business tycoon revealed that the Aberdeen also obtained a touching letter from the board at 2022 Europa League winners' Eintracht Frankfurt, with the two clubs developing a healthy relationship from their group stage clash in the Conference League in the 2023/24 season. In an interview with Ally Begg ABTV, he said: "You get to know directors of other clubs when you play in Europe. "The guys at Frankfurt looked after us the last time we were over there in the group stages. They are great guys. "When they came to Aberdeen, we booked out Maryculter House (for them), and the old-dining room in there that goes back to 1225 and the Knight's Templar. "Germans love their whisky. Axel (Hellman) is the CEO and when we played them at Pittodrie and won 2-0, he was staying on in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire for three days after it to go on a whisky tour. Thankfully he had a driver! "We gave them a five litre bottle of whisky. "We then got a lovely letter from all the board and the sporting director Markus Krosche congratulating us on winning the Scottish Cup and they said 'now is the appropriate time for us as a board to open the bottle of whisky'. "I (also) got a lovely letter from Nasser Al-Khelaifi who is president of PSG and also the chairman of the ECA (European Club Association). "Aberdeen is a well-known club in Europe."
BBC News
4 days ago
- BBC News
What does success look like for Aberdeen this season?
European qualification and a first Scottish Cup in 35 years. It is safe to call last season a success for how do Jimmy Thelin's Dons top that?"I'd accept a treble," Aberdeen fan and podcaster Erin Grieve joked on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast."Progression in Europe would be really good, because I don't feel like many Scottish teams, other than Rangers, are doing brilliantly in Europe. "I think what you want is some stability. We don't really want the run we had [at the start of last season] and then the bad run we had. "But, would I take 10th and another Scottish Cup? Yes, I suppose I would!"The Pittodrie side kick off their Scottish Premiership campaign on Monday, 3 August at Hearts and find out their Europa League play-off opponents the day after. Their Scottish Cup defence is way down the new faces have stepped through the door and more could be on the way following the news chairman Dave Cormack, along with the club's investors, have injected another £8m into the would success for Aberdeen this season look like for you? Send us your thoughts.
