Lockdown champion dives in at deep end
Lochlan wins private lesson with Olympic hero
A lockdown champion made such a splash in a national competition that he got the chance to rub shoulders with a GB diving hero.
Lochlan Murdoch emerged victorious from a national competition celebrating lockdown winners.
And the 12-year-old’s prize for being such a good sport? An experience of a lifetime a private diving session with Olympic champ Tom Daley.
Lochlan is from Cumnock and attends The Robert Burns Academy.
He wowed the judges in a competition organised by holiday company Haven and Team GB.
The competition encouraged members of the public to nominate someone they believed had demonstrated incredible mental strength, or helped others improve theirs throughout the height of the lockdown during the pandemic.
Amongst hundreds of entries, Lochlan emerged a winner.
Lochlan lives with Type 1 Diabetes but he has overcome huge health issues which have considerably slowed down his football training, a sport he also loves.
Battling with his own mental health during the lockdown, Lochlan remained positive and productive, launching his own charity, Lochlan’s Legacy, set up to raise awareness and the understanding of Type 1
Diabetes in all aspects of life, especially in the sporting world.
He revealed: “My dream is to educate all people about Type 1 Diabetes. I think it is important for sports coaches and all people involved in sports to have an awareness and some basic training about the disease to breakdown the barriers and reduce the stigma that surrounds it.”
Lochlan and his mum travelled down to the London Aquatic Centre at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to attend a private practice session
with Tom.
He was also given the opportunity to ask the Olympian some questions, along with getting a few pictures to add to the memory.
“It was an absolutely amazing experience,” said Lochlan. “I got to watch Tom and his partner train, as well as some of the Olympic diving squad.
“Tom took us on a tour of the Aquatic Centre and I even got the chance to go up to the highest diving board. It was scary looking over the edge, but it was really exciting!
“I got to ask Tom lots of questions and the chance to give him a present, a Lochlan’s Legacy top, which he put on - it was brilliant! Thank you Haven for choosing me as your Haven Lockdown Champion and giving me this amazing experience.”
“It was a pleasure to meet such an amazing young person,” said GB star Tom.
“His strength and determination is outstanding. It is always a pleasure to meet young people who have a passion for something and the determination to go after it no matter the circumstances.
“Lochlan epitomises that spirit and his positivity during a challenging period in his life is really encouraging to see.”
Lochlan was one of five winners of the Haven Lockdown Champions competition, with other prizes including experiences with Olympians such as a walk on the beach with Denise Lewis, a baking class with Bryony Page, a dance class with Amy Tinkler and a bike ride with Vicky Holland.