Paisley’s Para Athletics star Ross to have medals displayed in refurbished Paisley Museum

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

Ross Paterson, 25, from Paisley, has cerebral palsy, which affects the control, coordination and movement of the right-hand side of his body. Ross 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 are set to be part of a display at the refurbished Paisley Museum which celebrate local sporting heroes and their incredible achievements. Among other items, the silver medal Ross won at the European Championships in Berlin in 2018, will go on display.

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.”

Ross, who stopped by at the Secret Collection, the UK’s only museum store based in the middle of a high street, to donate items from his running career, 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!”

Archie Henderson, social history researcher at OneRen, which is leading on the curatorial delivery of the refurbishment of the museum, said: “Paisley and Renfrewshire has a legacy of producing elite athletes and we want to reflect that in our new display and I’m delighted that Ross has agreed to donate items from his incredible running career.”

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

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

Ross hopes his story can help inspire others, particularly those who have a disability. He concluded: “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. 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.”