OF the many people who are disappointed that George Best has turned back to drink after a liver transplant made necessary by his alcoholism, few can be more disappointed than schoolgirl Katy Dean, who is waiting for her own transplant.

While recovering from his operation, the football legend took time out to send her a personal message of encouragement and wish her luck.

As ever, we send Katy our own best wishes. We also hope she enjoys her much-deserved holiday in Florida in September, paid for by locals at the Barrington Arms in Liden.

There are those who will say the Best case demonstrates stupidity at best and utter selfishness at worst.

As we do not live in Best's head and are not privy to his thoughts, all we can say for sure is that it demonstrates the depths to which people can go when they are in the grip of an addiction.

But as he showed when he sent his words of support to Katy, not even alcoholism can totally wipe out humanity and kindness.

The George Best who wrote that letter deserves our best wishes as well.