AN ASHKIRK teenager has beaten off stiff competition earn a place on a unique course intended to provide a steppingstone to Cambridge University.

The Cambridge Foundation Year is for students who have been prevented from realising their potential due to “educational disadvantage or disruption”.

Nineteen-year-old Cameron Welsh, who attended Lilliesleaf Primary and Selkirk High School, has lived with chronic fatigue syndrome from the age of 13 – a condition that causes extreme tiredness.

This affected his ability to play sport and his education as he was only able to study for one higher at a time.

Cameron will be studying for a foundation degree in art, humanities and social science at Homerton College in Cambridge and hopes that this will lead to a four-year course at the world-famous university.

Cameron said: “It’s hard to believe at the moment. I stumbled across the course when was ill some time ago.

“I’ve had two interviews, an assessment and provided a personal statement so it’s been quite intense so I’m a bit shocked to have finally been accepted.

“I’ve been down to Cambridge and it’s a great place.

“And the people have been friendly.

“I’ll be staying in Homerton College.

“When I was 13, I developed an infection which turned into chronic fatigue which meant that I had to take higher English in 5th year and higher modern studies in 6th year but I also took an Open University course in psychology which is the equivalent for a first year in uni.

“It’s been more difficult for my family and I am so grateful for their help, along with the school, and doctors and staff at the Borders General Hospital.”

Homerton College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge and has extensive grounds which encompass sports fields, water features and beehives with the focal point of the college, its Victorian Gothic hall.

Proud mum Jackie said: “It’s unbelievable and we are so proud after what he has been through.

“Chronic fatigue syndrome is misunderstood.

“We couldn’t see an end to it and it was horrendous but he had a great level of care at the Borders General Hospital.

“Cameron is 90/95 per cent recovered and we can see the transformation in him.

“To be accepted for Cambridge has given him a real boost.

“More than 500 applied for it and only 50 were accepted.”

The course is a free and fully-funded programme and is only available as a full-time, one-year residential programme.