One of Scotland’s leading para-athletes is to be honoured as part of the £45 million refurbishment of Paisley Museum.

Ross Paterson, who is from the town, has cerebral palsy, which affects the control, coordination and movement of the right-hand side of his body.

The 25-year-old competes in the T38 100m, 200m and 400m disciplines and has represented Team Scotland and Team GB in the Commonwealth Games, European Championships and Cerebral Palsy World Games.

Now, items which hold fond memories for the para-athlete, including his silver medal from the 2018 European Championships in Berlin, are to be part of a display which celebrates local sporting heroes and their incredible achievements.

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Ross said: “The medal holds great memories for me. To pull on that GB vest before my 400m race gave me goosebumps but I knew I had to hold it together to be in with a chance.

“When I crossed the line I realised just how much I wanted it. I remember looking for my parents in the crowd and managed to sneak a few minutes with them.

“The look on their faces will live with me forever. It’s certainly my greatest achievement to date and having the opportunity to share it with the people of Paisley will hopefully raise the profile of para sport.”

As well as his silver medal, Ross has donated his racing bib from the 2018 European Championships, his running spikes from the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and his bronze medal from the 2018 Cerebral Palsy World Games in Spain.

Stopping by at the Secret Collection, the UK’s only museum store based in the middle of a high street, to hand them over, he added: “To know that my items are going to be in Paisley Museum is very special to me.

“When I was younger I have great memories of my grandpa taking my cousins and I down to the museum to look at the exhibits.

“To think that my items will be on display for all to see, will hopefully inspire people to take the opportunity to participate in sport whether it be for fun or at a level that will see them perform on the world stage. It really is amazing.”

Ross also hopes his story can help inspire others, particularly those who have a disability.

“I would say get out and try new things, see what you enjoy doing, there are lots of opportunities for people who have a disability,” he explained.

“Don’t let your disability hold you back, enjoy doing what makes you happy and get out and meet people and have fun - you never know where it might lead.”

The museum refurbishment is Scotland’s biggest cultural heritage project and the site is due to reopen in 2024.

Archie Henderson, social history researcher at OneRen, which is leading on the curatorial delivery of the museum refurbishment, said that Paisley and Renfrewshire has a legacy of producing elite athletes and that they wanted to reflect that in the new display.

“I’m delighted that Ross has agreed to donate items from his incredible running career,” he added.