AN East Renfrewshire schoolboy stepped up to the challenge after deciding to raise money for a worthy cause.

Cian Murphy, 11, was inspired to coin in cash for Coeliac UK after battling his own health issues.

Coeliac disease is a condition in which a person’s immune system attacks their own tissue when they consume gluten, with those diagnosed restricted to a gluten-free diet.

Cian, who was diagnosed with the disease in 2019, originally set a target of walking 50,000 steps in one week, in return for donations for the charity.

However, he smashed his target by clocking up a whopping 250,000 steps, raising more than £1,600 in the process.

Cian said: “I did it because I wanted other kids who have coeliac disease to feel better and show them what it’s like to live with.

“I was supposed to do a 50,000-step challenge and I have ended up doing 250,000 steps throughout the week.”

Cian, from Giffnock, has been walking in his neighbourhood, as well as to and from school, and also used football to reach his target and beyond.

Along the way, he has been supported by his younger brothers Odhran, eight, and six-year-old Cillian.

Cian said: “I play for two football teams and I play Gaelic football and I also go to Cubs.

“My two brothers go to football with me and they have been encouraging me to keep going.”

Cian is a keen fan of both Celtic and Liverpool and is hoping another hero from East Renfrewshire will take notice of his fundraising efforts.

“I want to be a footballer when I grow up,” said Cian, who is a P6 pupil at Our Lady of the Missions Primary School, in Thornliebank.

“Andy Robertson is one of my favourite players. I would love it if he saw my fundraiser.”
Cian’s mum Pauline said the family “couldn’t be prouder” of what he has achieved.

“All of his friends and our family have been so supportive,” she added. “His little brothers gave him their pocket money towards the fundraiser and his auntie in Ireland has been doing steps along with him.

“The fundraiser has even helped Cian to gain confidence.”

Alongside the challenge, Cian has been able to give presentations about coeliac disease to fellow pupils in school.

Pauline said: “He has always been quite shy but doing these presentations has been great for Cian and you can see him getting more confident.

“Cian has had severe allergies for most of his life, so adapting to having coeliac disease wasn’t too difficult for us, as we were used to cutting out foods.

“It’s great to see him take this negative and turn it into a positive.”
Cian added: “I really enjoyed the presentations and want to be able to do more in the future.

“I think it is important that people my age understand what coeliac disease is and for people my age who do have it to know that it’s not something to be scared of.”