Brave Cumnock schoolboy hailed 'community hero' after smashing major stadium marathon to promote better mental health

Lochlan Murdoch, 10, was crowned a community hero after smashing his 28 mile walk around Scotland’s football pitches in just four days.

He came up with the idea himself after struggling with his own mental health and diabetes last year.

The Cumnock lad lost all confidence and suffered a huge shift in his personality after breaking his leg during a football match.

He felt trapped in his cast which isolated him from friends and kept him on the sidelines instead of doing what he loves most - playing football.

Lochlan had a breakdown sobbing as he confessed to his parents how much he had actually been feeling depressed and lonely.

But his mum Lesley Murdoch, 38, said she ‘got her son back’ after the 9-year-old finally opened up about how bad he had been feeling.

Now Lochlan wants others to know its okay not to be okay and is raising money for Kris Boyd’s charity and JDRF as he suffers from type 1 diabetes.

He marched around stadiums in Cumnock, Aberdeen, Dundee, Livingston, Motherwelll, Hamilton, Kilmarnock, and Glasgow.

Lochlan said: “When I broke my leg I got very sad and felt left out and really alone.

"I lost my confidence because I couldn’t play football. I stopped going to watch training and games because I felt so sad at not being able to take part and play with my friends.

"Once I told my mum how I was feeling she got me some help and I’m starting to feel a bit better.

His mum Lesley said: “I felt relieved when it all came out because it meant we could get him the help he needed.

“Now we are starting to get Lochlan back which feels great, our wee boy was so lost but he really is coming back to us.

“I think the whole thing was so hard on him because football was the one thing he really loves and when he got hurt that was taken away from him.

“I couldn’t be prouder of him, he’s quite an inspirational wee person.”