Scots transport chiefs praised a pair of 'kind' tots who created a poignant poster in solidarity with Edinburgh bus drivers 'terrorised' by thugs in a spate of targeted attacks.
We told how Lothian Buses suspended night services last week after sick youngsters incessantly hurled bricks and stones at bus windows, smashing some of them in the process.
One terrified driver told the Record that 'a death is almost certain' as he claimed most Edinburgh drivers were 'terrorised by groups of up to 20 youths every night without fail'.
The callous attacks struck a chord with five-year-old Alex Pujdak.
Alex, who hails from the city, wanted to reassure drivers that their work through the pandemic was appreciated by creating a thoughtful poster.
His vibrant sign which reads, 'Deserve respect, thank you, bus drivers' was placed in the back windscreen of his dad's taxi, in the hope Lothian Buses staff would see it, which they did.
And doting dad, Don, couldn't be more proud.
He told the Record: "I am incredibly proud of Alex.
"He was talking about the incident when a Lothian Bus driver had to go to hospital after being attacked and asked, 'Daddy you are a professional driver, is this going to happen to you?'
"I had to assure him that it wouldn't but it really touched him.
"He thought the poster would be a good way to reach out to the drivers without approaching them."
With little sister, Eva, two on hand to help the tots created the colourful design, with spelling assistance from Don and mum, Polina, 32, on Friday.
My that afternoon Don, who's been a taxi driver in the capital for over a decade, was driving round with the positive message in the back of his motor.
And it wasn't long before Lothian Buses spotted the sweet sign and got in touch.
A spokesperson from the transport firm said: "Thank you so much for taking the time to share your kind words with us.
"We really appreciate your feedback.
"We would like to thank you and your family very much for your support.
"It is appreciated and it means a lot.
"Stay safe, Don."
Don was delighted to hear that the victims of the brutal late-night attacks had been made aware of little Alex's kind gesture.
"In such a crazy time, it's sometimes difficult to overcome our own challenges to be able to think of others," he added.
"It makes me so happy to think Alex was able to do that, and he's only five.
"Hopefully things will change and these attacks won't happen again."
Last Tuesday it was reported that 18 thugs had been arrested after a number of services were allegedly targeted with large stones resulting in their windows being smashed.
