Champion effort
Brodie’s up for top gong
A schoolboy with an incurable condition has been nominated for a national award after tackling a challenge to raise cash for the hospital charity that cared for him.
Little Brodie Robertson, from Paisley, raised more than £1,800 in May for Glasgow Children’s Hospital after completing a twomile cycle around his neighbourhood in Ferguslie Park.
It was a tough challenge for the determined five-year-old as he lives with Progressive Osseous Heteroplasia (POH) - a rare condition that causes bone to develop where it shouldn’t be present.
His champion effort has now seen him become one of the youngest nominees for the Pride of Scotland Awards, which celebrates unsung heros from all over the country.
Similar to the Pride of Britain Awards, the long-standing and star-studded event is now being brought north of the border.
Proud mum Siobhan, 33, says she was overwhelmed to find out her “real-life mini superhero” had been nominated in the Young Fundraiser category.
She said: “I just couldn’t believe it when I heard. I was totally overwhelmed that someone would think about him and go out of their way to nominate him.
“We were just so touched by it and to find out he is one of the youngest ever nominees is just amazing.
“We are just so, so proud of him. He really deserves it.”
As well as celebrating the nomination, the family marked a major milestone as Brodie started primary one at Glencoats Primary in August.
It was a momentous day for Brodie, who has already overcome more than most people have in their lifetime.
Born 11 weeks premature, weighing a tiny 1lb 7oz, the little fighter spent the first four months of his life in hospital and endured a number of surgeries for an unknown condition that left doctors baffled.
It was not until he was three years old that his parents Siobhan and Brian were finally given a diagnosis for her brave little boy.
There are only 60 known cases of POH in the whole world. It causes bone to develop in parts of the body where it should not normally be present.
While Brodie still faces a number of difficulties because of his condition, Siobhan says he is loving making new friends at school.
She added: “He has absolutely loved school. It has been tough for him as he does get tired but he is really enjoying being there.
“Despite losing all movement in his right arm, having scoliosis in his spine and not being able to walk too far without a wheelchair, his speech and learning have been developing well and he is loving being in class.
“He has been coming home and telling us about making new friends, which has been fantastic.
“He is doing so well considering he has been through so much.
“He struggles with a lot of pain but that doesn’t stop him living life at 100 miles per hour.
“He is my wee daredevil hero. He may be small but he has a massive personality. He is such a cuddly and friendly little boy who is constantly making other people laugh.”
The youngster is also still enjoying his new bike which he completed his charity cycle on earlier this year alongside his mum and big sister Brooke, 13.
A flare up of his condition has left the brave schoolboy in pain in recent months, but Siobhan he is still as determined as ever.
She added: “He has had issues with his shoulder over the past few months so that has made things a bit more difficult for him.
“But he is still determined to get out and enjoy his bike when he can.
“It’s so great to see him cycling and enjoying himself.
“We’re so proud.”