A Cumnock boy has been given a prestigious award for his charity work helping to raise awareness of type-1 diabetes.

Thirteen-year-old Lochlan Murdoch won The People’s Award at the Quality in Care Diabetes Awards in Reading on Thursday October 13.

The teen created Lochlan’s Legacy in 2020 to inspire others with the condition and raise awareness through workshops, info sessions, and get together days.

His mum Lesley said: “I don’t think Lochlan expected to win it at all. He was really excited, but I don’t think he was expecting anything I think he was just expecting to go down there and just be part of the event.

“He was absolutely delighted, and he was an absolute wee superstar - that’s the only way I can describe him. The way he networked and he spoke to everyone at the event, telling them about all the work he’s doing in Scotland, blew them away.

“He got a standing ovation and people were in tears - It was quite a moment!”

The award was decided on by a panel of judges who voted overwhelmingly for Lochlan to win.

Lochlan was given the award by the director of care and clinical intelligence for Diabetes UK, Simon O’Neil, while the ceremony was hosted by celebrity doctor Mark Porter.

In one of Lochlan’s first campaigns to raise awareness of diabetes he walked two miles around all SPFL stadiums totalling 28 miles in just four days only nine months after breaking his leg while playing football.

Lesley continued: “We’d gone to 10 Downing Street the year of Lochlan’s stadium mass meeting and we met a gentleman who was a GP, and he does a lot for diabetes in NHS England.

“He said to Lochlan ‘I’ve followed your story so far, you’re on a roll. What are you going to do now?’ and the wee one, being 10 years old at that time, said ‘I don’t know but I want to do something’.

“On the train on the way home he said to me ‘I really want to do something to make a difference’ and that’s how we came up with Lochlan’s Legacy.”

Diagnosed with type-1 diabetes at four years old, Lochlan has used football throughout his life to stay positive.

Lochlan and his campaign have received support from teams like Kilmarnock FC.