A MUSSELBURGH boy was cheered on by close to 14,000 football fans as he ran round the Hibernian FC pitch at half-time to raise funds as a thank you to hospital staff for saving his life.

Five-year-old Ryan Kerr, who was born with a rare heart defect, signed up for the Kids’ Kilometre as part of this year’s Edinburgh Marathon Festival in aid of Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity.

His grandfather Gavin Gillies, player liaison officer for Hibs, arranged for him to do his kilometre by running around the Easter Road pitch at half-time during the recent Hibernian v St Johnstone Cinch Scottish Premiership fixture at Easter Road, which the home team won 1-0.

Ryan, a Hibs and Newcastle United fan, has, via his JustGiving page, now raised more than £3,300 for the charity, which funds medical equipment and services to give children the best possible care.

He was diagnosed with complete congenital heart block, which means that his heart can’t beat as fast as he needs it to, with his average heart rate only about 40 beats per minute.

Ryan’s mum Sherena, 38, said that Ryan ran and walked round the pitch as he was stopped en route by fans who high-fived him, as others shouted his name and donated money.

She said: “Ryan was so excited to do his run, which could be completed any time from May to December.

“He was so brave and loved every single second of it.

“The standing ovation he received from Hibs and St Johnstone fans was astounding.

“Both sets of fans were handing over notes and he ended up with handfuls of cash.

“Ryan is a Hibs and Newcastle United fan, so for the St Johnstone side to show such support was amazing.

“Since the event, St Johnstone have shared Ryan on their social media pages and it’s caused quite a conversation online about the heartwarming side of Scottish football and coming together when it matters.”

Ryan, a P2 pupil at Burgh Primary School, was also cheered on by dad Gary, nine-year-old brother Daniel and sister Chloe, 19.

Sherena added: “His teachers are all so proud of him and the enthusiasm he has shown, as are we.”

Shes said that on June 30, 2015, a routine 20-week scan turned into “a living nightmare” when they were told their baby boy had a very rare heart defect.

She said that, in order for Ryan to survive, he needed to hang on until he was big enough to be delivered and have a pacemaker fitted.

The family received an appointment at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital’s foetal medicine unit, and cardiologists from Glasgow Children’s Hospital also met them.

Sherena said: “They would scan me once or twice a week to see how he was coping.”

Two months before he was due, it was decided to deliver him and he underwent heart surgery.

Sherena added: “They had never done this surgery on a baby so young – he was the first in Scotland.”

Two years later, Ryan’s pacemaker leads snapped and he needed the whole operation done again.

“This time was harder on him and recovery was long and painful,” she said.

“He was terrified but the staff did all they could to make him as happy as they could.

“We owe everyone there, especially all staff on ward 1E, so much. We are told babies like him don’t survive but he did. I am so thankful to the doctors that gave him a chance when other hospitals said there was none.

“Ryan will continue to need scans, tests and operations for the rest of his life and, as horrible as that is, we are blessed he is here.”

Donate at justgiving.com/fundraising/weeryankerr