Ross is 29 and lives in the Whitlawburn area of Cambuslang which is the most affected SIMD area within South Lanarkshire. Ross was an active gang member and well known to the community and local police for all the wrong reasons.
He first made contact with MTGP having just been released from prison. Ross agrees that to his friends and his local community that he was seen to be ‘a total waste of space’.
Through the work of the coaches, Ross became a regular attendee at MTGP and a member of the Whitlawburn team which participated in the ‘MTGP Choose Life Community Leagues’.
His Health and fitness levels have increased quite dramatically. Ross has gone on to run at several events in aid of charity and in particular Yorkhill Children’s Hospital, following his son contracting meningitis and almost dying. Despite all this he has never missed a Community League match.
Ross at the Community Leagues and receiving his trophies
A Children’s Author
Ross bonded with his son Jayden in such a positive way that he began to make up bedtime stories for his son’s enjoyment. Ross was then encouraged by MTGP to use this idea to produce a book containing the stories he devised for his son.
The result is a book written and drawn by Ross called “Super Scamper and Jayden’s Big Adventures” The book follows Jayden and his special dog as he visits countries around the world. The book is targeted at nursery and early Primary School children.
Ross sent his completed book to 5 publishers, simply hoping for feedback on how he could improve it but was surprised when all 5 publishers showed interest in developing the book.
Ross says…
‘I had to decide which would be the best option to take the book forward. I went with Author House as they’re the biggest and can sell it world-wide’.
‘I’d like the book to really take off. Once this one’s up and running I’ve got ideas for the next book, there are plenty of other countries I’ve got in mind that they could visit’.
Ross has taken his book into Yorkhill Children’s Hospital and to give book readings to patients in the wards. They were so well received that he now does this on a regular basis. Ross has also carried out readings at local educational establishments within South Lanarkshire and hopes to expand on this in the future.
The book written and drawen by Ross
Ross hopes to write further books based on his son’s adventures. He has signed a copy of his book where he expresses his thanks to MTGP for all their help and assistance. and can be seen in the new MTGP DVD.
Ross states that through his involvement with MTGP, he has been able to totally change his life. He has stopped offending and has married. He is in full time employment as a Financial Adviser where he is a valuable member of the workforce and has started a ‘face painting’ party business.
Ross is busy writing a sequel to his first book at the request of his publisher.
Lifesaver
Ross made headlines in local and national newspapers when he helped to rescue a mother and her 2 teenage daughters who were trapped in their flat due to a fire.
Ross initially attempted to climb the stairs to the flat but was beaten back by the heat and thick smoke. He then persuaded the occupants to leap from the flat’s window where he and others managed to catch them.
‘It was terrifying, Christina went to the door and her face was covered with black smoke. The next thing I knew people were telling us to jump out the window.
I don’t know what we would have done if Ross and the others hadn’t been there’ Pauline, Mother
- Pauline with one of her daughters
Community Capacity Building
Annual Benefit Football Competition and Community Fun Day
Ross approached MTGP and asked for their assistance to organise a benefit football competition and family fun day following the unexpected death of a friend.
Ross also wished to highlight the good work achieved by MTGP and wanted to invite 8 teams from local gang areas to participate in a benefit football competition with all funds raised going to his deceased friend’s family.
MTGP agreed to organise the football competition and be referees on the day. Ross spoke to the teams who put aside their differences to take part. Ross also organised a full day of family activities as part of a community fun day.
8 teams participated in a series of round robin matches. Over 200 spectators watched the final whereby Whitlawburn Reprobates won 4-3 in an exciting match. Despite the potential for disorder, the day’s events proved extremely successful and incident free with all participants respecting the reason for the day’s events.
Some of the participants at the first football and community fun day organised by Ross
The event was so successful that it is now repeated on an annual basis. Ross still takes a leading role in the organisation of the events with all proceeds going to charity.
Ross has totaly turned his life around. He has stopped offending and has become a positive member of his community. He is very active to the direct benefit of his community and is a regular charity fundraiser and a childrens author.
Ross says….
‘I cannot believe how much my life has changed for the better since I first attended at Moving the Goalposts’.
Moving The Goalposts 