When a Renfrew cheerleader made a 'miraculous' recovery

We have dived into the extensive archives here at the Gazette and had a look at Wednesday, March 12, to find and share some of the content that we covered then.

Do you recognise or remember these stories?

1. Miracle for dancer and dog told they’d never walk again

A cheerleader and her beloved dog bounced back after both were told they would never walk again.

Gemma McKee, 26, and her pet Cesar tackled a charity dog walk despite both suffering horrific injuries.

Psychology student Gemma, of Renfrew, heard a sickening snap in both of her heels while performing a cheerleading stunt in Hamburg, Germany.

The devastated Scottish Rockettes dancer feared she might never walk again – but stunned surgeons by making a “miraculous” recovery.

But even more bizarrely, Gemma woke up one day to discover her prized pooch could no longer walk.

Vets later diagnosed the creature with a severe spine injury.

Much to her amazement, Gemma’s two-year-old Great Dane is also making a recovery from his rare spine condition.

2. Schoolgirl performers bond overlove of musicals

Two talented schoolgirls formed a friendship through their ambitions to reach Broadway.

Renfrewshire youngsters Rebecca Morrow, 12, and Sara Cartwright, 11, had both secured roles in a musical production of smash-hit Annie.

Rebecca and Sara both starred as the leading lady on separate show nights, with Rebecca starring in three performances and Sara in four.

It was especially memorable for Johnstone youngster Rebecca, who says it could have been her last time to perform as orphan Annie in the heart-warming stage show.

3. Beauty show tot to be face of campaign

At just three years old, little Emily Toal had been through a tremendous amount for a toddler.

From surviving open heart surgery to winning beauty pageants, it is no wonder mum Hazel was in complete awe of her daughter.

Emily, of Northbarr Road in Erskine, was born with Down’s Syndrome, a condition which, in 50 per cent of cases in children, comes with a congenital heart defect.

But, never letting it stand in her way, the remarkable tot bounced back from a series of surgeries to become part of a thought-provoking campaign for Down’s Syndrome Awareness Week.

Proud parent Hazel looked to change small-minded views of the condition by raising awareness through charity events with the help of three other mums who also have children with Down’s Syndrome.

4. Veterans get their hands dirty at school

Youngsters at Newmains Primary mucked in with veterans from Erskine Hospital to help sustain the school’s green status.

The school, alongside Gardener’s Leave, Erskine hospital’s veteran’s rehabilitation gardening group, planted trees and flowers around the school grounds using only sourced recycled material.

Tyres for planting were donated by the local Kwik-Fit and all other resources were also donated or recycled.

Fiona McAskill, principal teacher and the school’s eco co-ordinator, said: “The kids had a fantastic time and it has helped build a strong sense of community around the school

"The people from Gardener’s Leave were a fantastic help, great with the kids and loved coming along to give them a hand."

5. Couple feeling chip-per after scooping award

A Bridge of Weir couple are frying high after their chips were voted best in Scotland.

Kerr Raeburn, 39, who runs seaside chippy The Wee Kelpy with his wife Nicola, 38, battered the competition to be crowned winner of the Choice Chip Awards 2014.

The West Clyde Street eatery boasted the Best Chippy Chips in the whole of Scotland following the national awards.

Award organisers, the Potato Council, revealed the top chippies in the country as voted for by customers.

Nicola Raeburn said staff at the Wee Kelpie were delighted and very proud to accept the prestigious title.

Nicola has been running the chip shop with her husband Kerr and two members of staff since November 2011.

She said: “I felt a bit tearful when we got the call to say we had won the Scottish award.

“Not only that but we have made it into the top 10 chip shops in the UK.”

6. Popular pub raises the bar at award ceremony

A popular Renfrew pub which starred in ITV drama Taggart was awarded for its zero tolerance towards drunken fights and disorder.

The Ferry Inn won accolades from the Best Bar None awards, which encourage landlords to show high standards and professionalism when selling alcohol.

The local drinking spot — which has also featured in BBC TV programme Bob Servant Independant and Scottish film Orphans — was praised for leaving violent drunks out in the cold for the second year running.

Georgina Berry, manager of the bar, said: “The Ferry Inn is a family-run business which was started by my mum Sarah and dad Richard Heely and getting this award will hopefully help us to get our name out there a bit more.

“I think that a lot of our customers will also be pleased to hear about it and it’s great for others to know that we are a pub which provides good entertainment and alcohol in a responsible way.

“Scenes have been filmed in the pub quite a few times, such as in the film Orphans and in a few episodes of Taggart, which has been a major achievement for us.

“Although we are just a small local business, this is another thing we can add to our list of achievements. We will just keep on going and continue to try to improve our services.”