Eric Sproul – Sport

Eric has had scoliosis, which causes twisting and curvature of the spine, since he was 14. “I was in constant pain, which made me angry,” says Eric, 53, from Glasgow. “I just wanted to fight everyone.

“When I was diagnosed at 16, they said operating had a huge risk of paralysis, so I was given huge doses of painkillers. But the pain was still constant, for 15 years. I became depressed and even considered suicide.”

Life improved for Eric when, in 2016, his mother left him a little money in her will and suggested he use it to buy a bike. “She knew I’d loved cycling as a kid and I thought it could help,” says Eric, who has had a huge boost in his mental and physical health through cycling.

He then saw an ad seeking cycle leaders for Easterhouse Phoenix Community Centre: “It’s literally 10 minutes from my street – it was meant to be.”

Now Eric volunteers at the community centre every day, helping others learn to ride and maintain their bikes.

Winning the National Lottery Sport Award was a wonderful surprise. “I thought they were winding me up!” he laughs. “If you’d told me 10 years ago, I’d never have believed you.”