A QUEEN Anne High pupil hailed as an ‘inspiration’ to future disability athletes has been inducted into the school’s PE hall of fame.

Talented Callum Sloan, who is a member of Disability Sport Fife (DSF), was given the honour in recognition of his achievements in wheelchair racing – and now he’s setting the wheels in motion for an attempt at setting a new PB at next month’s London Mini Marathon as he continues a journey that he hopes will lead him to become a future Paralympian.

After being born with a spinal cord abscess that saw him suffer paralysis since birth, Callum took up wheelchair racing at the age of eight and trains at Pitreavie Athletics Centre as part of DSF’s weekly programme of run, push, jump and throws sessions.

He has gone on to compete in events such as the mini marathon, in which he has raised money for DSF, the Great Scottish Run and at a number of regional and national competitions representing the Kingdom.

After starting off as the only wheelchair racer training with the organisation, he has been credited with being the catalyst for increasing participation and is set to compete in London for a fourth time next month.

Speaking to Press Sport, the teenager’s proud mum, Gayle, said: “We didn’t know anything about it until he got his photo taken!

“When we discovered what it was, we were delighted and it’s great that he is seen as a positive role model.

“For other kids with a disability as well it shows them what they can achieve, and it’s recognition of his hard work and what he’s achieving.

“He was like ‘there’s a great big picture of me up in school mum’, so he’s quite chuffed. It means a lot to him but he was playing it cool!

“He’s just at the start of his sporting journey but he’s showing what hard work brings.

“The support of Disability Sport Fife and the school has been great and we’re lucky that Fife has such a good disability sport set-up.”

She continued: “Callum has always had a positive outlook. He’s got a really good attitude and nothing fazes him – as a parent, that’s all you want.

“He still trains two or three times a week and, at the end of April, he’s got his first big race of the year in London. It’s always the one he looks forward to most and he’s hoping for another PB.

“He loves the crowds and the atmosphere; it really pushes him on and our training focus is on that.

“He’s still got a few years where he can compete at this race, which is lovely to showcase wheelchair racing.

“It’s such a great thing to be involved in sport at any level and, to watch it grow and flourish, has been nice for Callum.”

Callum Imray, Active Schools co-ordinator for the Queen Anne High School cluster, commented: “Callum deserves the recognition as he shows great commitment to his sport and thoroughly deserves his place on the wall.

“Active Schools have introduced a Fife Sports Stars programme to inspire the next generation of athletes and Callum is the perfect example of this at Queen Anne High School.”

Richard Brickley, president of DSF, added: “Callum has competed in three London mini marathons and is the inspiration behind the new development in wheelchair racing in Fife. He has proudly taken his place on the wall beside other high achieving pupils and is considered an outstanding role model for his peers.”