A TEENAGE charity hero from Cumnock has received another top award for his tireless work on behalf of others.

Lochlan Murdoch recently won a Points of Light award, which recognises outstanding individual volunteers and people who are making a change in their community.

The 14-year-old first hit the headlines in 2019 when he set out on a walk around pitches at football stadiums around Scotland as a way of improving his mental health after suffering a broken leg.

The following year Lochlan, who has type 1 diabetes, set up the Lochlan's Legacy charity with the help of his mum Lesley to raise awareness of the condition.

Later in 2020 his charitable work saw him crowned the winner of Cumnock's Young Citizen of the Year award.

Last year he was nominated for the 'unsung hero' prize at the Young Scot awards, was chosen to carry the Queen's Baton as it stopped off in East Ayrshire on its way to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, and won the People's Award at the Quality in Care Diabetes Awards.

The Points of Light awards, co-ordinated by the Prime Minister's Office, see inspirational people chosen every day to showcase the outstanding work of community volunteers across the UK. 

Nearly 2,100 winners have been chosen since the awards were launched in 2014.

Diagnosed with diabetes aged 4, Lochlan believed there wasn’t enough being done in grassroots football to support players living with diabetes. 

READ MORE: Cumnock's Lochlan addresses Parliament to raise awareness 

Lochlan's Legacy aims to ensure children living with type 1 diabetes feel able to play the sport of their choice and live like any other young person, alongside attempting to reduce the stigma around the condition and raise awareness. 

Lochlan’s charity is now working in partnership with various teams within the Scottish Football Association to roll out awareness training to both local and professional teams, also offering awareness workshops to coaches and referees.

Lochlan’s family hope this will help parents feel more confident that organisers will know how to deal with any potential issues relating to type 1 diabetes.

In addition, the charity is running a campaign for young people aged 12-18 to get involved in their volunteer programme.

The ‘T1D and Me – Giving Youth a Voice’ project aims to highlight the voices of young people so that their opinions can inform future strategies and goals for the diabetes charity.

READ MORE: Lochlan's Legacy calls for young volunteers to join steering group

Lochlan’s mum, Lesley, said: “We are all so proud of Lochlan and all his work with ‘Lochlan’s Legacy’.

"He is determined to make a difference for people, like him, living with type 1 diabetes. His dedication, determination and passion to strive every day to make a difference is simply incredible and to be doing all this at such a young age is something that we are all so proud of.

"He is extremely grateful and humbled to receive this award and would like to pass on his sincere thanks.

"Who knows what the future will hold but with young people like Lochlan who are determined to make a difference in Britain, we are certain it will be bright.”