Sir Chris Hoy hopes to bring son home for Christmas

Sir Chris Hoy and son Callum. Picture: Edinburgh Evening News Montage

Sir Chris’s wife, Sarra, gave birth to son Callum last month, 11 weeks early – and the couple are now hoping to get their first- born child home for Christmas.

Speaking as he helped mark the 20th anniversary of the National Lottery yesterday at the Kelpies in Falkirk, the cycling star said he was “still in a little bit of shock” at becoming a father so soon.

He said: “We weren’t expecting Callum until nearer Christmas time, and you know he’s doing really well considering how premature he was. He’s growing rapidly, getting stronger, fitter, healthier.

“It’s great fun just going to the hospital and getting to hold him and see him. It’ll be nice when we get him home.”

Sir Chris said he and his wife were unsure when Callum will be able to leave hospital, but were hopeful it would be around his due date, which was close to Christmas.

He said: “If we could get him back for Christmas that would be an amazing Christmas present, but at the moment we’re just trying not to think too far ahead.”

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The five-time Olympic gold medallist also spoke warmly of becoming a father for the first time. He said: “There’s nothing like that moment when you hold your baby for the first time, and it’s a pretty stressful situation for it to happen in but you’re just trying to appreciate that moment.

“It’s a wonderful, wonderful feeling when you hold your baby boy in your arms.”

Sir Chris was at the Kelpies yesterday after both were chosen by members of the public as being among Scotland’s national treasures.

The poll to find Scotland’s favourite person and landmark was part of celebrations held by the National Lottery as it celebrates its 20th anniversary.

And while Sir Chris was keen to stress how important Lottery funding was to his own career, he also admitted to buying a ticket on occasion himself, as well as selling them as a student.

He said: “The Lottery, I’ve said it so many times, it’s had the single biggest impact on my career and pretty much every single sportsman and woman in the last 20 years. I don’t think you could find a single athlete who’s performed at the highest level who hasn’t benefited in some way, be it through coaching, grants, facilities or whatever.”

Sir Chris said he was also honoured to be named a national treasure, adding: “It’s a massive honour obviously, but quite bizarre really as well. It makes you feel quite old as well, but no, I’m very honoured and what an amazing place to be honoured, with the iconic Kelpies.”

In Scotland more than £2.6 billion has been awarded to arts, education, environment, health, heritage, sport and voluntary projects by the National Lottery.

The largest grant over the past 20 years has gone to Glasgow Science Centre at £36.2 million, while the smallest was £36 to Home-Start Orkney. The Helix, home to the Kelpies, has received £25 million.

A total of 341 millionaires have been created in Scotland thanks to the Lottery, and 2,824 people have won prizes of more than £500,000.

Dumfries has the highest concentration of winners in the UK – the area has a Lottery millionaire for every 8,288 adults.

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