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GREYHOUND DOG MEETS GREYHOUND COACH…

An Aberdeen bus driver has a photograph to treasure after the world famous Greyhound, the iconic bus company, visited Aberdeen last month.

Newburgh’s Harry Webster (51) has worked for First as a driver for 21 years and is an avid lover of greyhound dogs, having adopted five year old Merlin from local charity Give A Greyhound A Home. Merlin was found in Stirling some four years ago after being abandoned.

So when Harry heard that the world famous basketball team, the Harlem Globetrotters, were travelling to Aberdeen courtesy of Greyhound, he was keen to play matchmaker with the two greyhounds.

Greyhound and the Harlem Globetrotters paid a special visit to FirstGroup’s King Street HQ ahead of their performance at the AECC on 27 April. Harry and his treasured pet, Merlin, stole the show and featured in as many pictures as the Globetrotters!

Harry also secured his most sought after prize - a picture of Merlin next to the Greyhound coach. “It was too good an opportunity to miss,” he said. “The coach looked fantastic and so too did Merlin – I’ve got the picture of both the Greyhounds framed and hanging pride of place in my living room.”

He continued: “Our buses at First in Aberdeen are great to drive, but I’d have loved to have taken the wheel of a Greyhound coach. Hopefully I will get the opportunity one day, with Merlin as my passenger.”

The flying visit to FirstGroup HQ was the Harlem Globetrotters’ unique way of saying thank you to FirstGroup for providing their transport. Greyhound, which operates in North America and the UK (since 2009), is owned by Aberdeen based, FirstGroup.

FirstGroup’s Marketing Manager, Avril Gill, said: “Merlin is a beautiful dog. He is very fortunate to have been rescued by a great charity and found a loving home with Harry.”

She added: “I was pleased to see Greyhound here in Aberdeen, albeit for one day only. It is a fantastic brand that deserves its iconic status.”

FirstGroup has made a small donation to local charity, Give A Greyhound A Home, and presented Harry with one of its model Greyhound coaches.

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