BEN WEIGHED LESS THAN 3LBS WHEN HE WAS BORN, NOW HE DREAMS OF BEING THE NEXT CHRIS HOY
A cycling-mad schoolboy who dreams of being the next Chris Hoy is taking on a mammoth challenge to support the hospital that cared for him as a tiny baby.
Ben McMurray was just 2lb 15oz when he was born in March 2011 at 32 weeks.
He spent weeks in the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) at Paisley’s Royal Alexandra Hospital before he was allowed home with his parents Deborah, 34, and Allan, 35.
Now a thriving eight-year-old, Ben will take on the gruelling 45-mile cycle from Glasgow to Edinburgh to raise money for the hospital.
His proud mum Deborah — who will be joining him on the Pedal for Scotland challenge — says he came up with the idea on his own as he wanted to give something back to the people who helped him when he was born.
She said: “He has always known about his start in life and that he was a premature baby.
“I was diagnosed with preeclampsia at 28 weeks and he was eventually born by C-section on March 8.
“Thankfully, he was completely healthy and he just needed to grow.
“He was 3lb 15oz when we were finally allowed to take him home on Mother’s Day and he has done so well ever since.
“He has loved cycling since he was really young and he is a member of a cycling club.
“He came to me one day and said that he wanted to do something for the hospital.
“He wants to raise as much as he can for them. It’s really nice to see him so excited about it.”
Kilbarchan boy Ben first discovered his love for cycling at just two- years- old after his parents bought him his first bike.
He went on to become a member of the Johnstone Jets junior cycling club at five and regularly takes part in competitions.
The P4 Kilbarchan Primary pupil goes to the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome every week to cycle round the track, which is where his dream of becoming the an Olympic gold medallist was first conjured up.
His enthusiasm for the sport has even spread to his family, with his mum and younger sister Olivia, six, joining in.
Deborah added: “We were not a cycling family before Ben became interested in it.
“He loves it. It’s totally his thing and he found it all on his own.
“He is known where we live as the wee boy who is always going about on his bike. Now he has me doing it and Olivia loves it too.
“He thinks he’s going to be the next Chris Hoy, which is really sweet.
“He does quite well and it’s just great that he enjoys it so much.”
Ben and his mum will be getting on their bikes on Sunday for the cycling challenge.
To donate to Ben’s fundraising effort, go to www. justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ ben-mcmurray