A cut above! Galashiels schoolboys reveal plans to raise money for the Margaret Kerr Unit
Tyler, aged nine, will be taking part in a sponsored silence - despite being diagnosed with Tourette's
Last updated 29th May 2023
A nine-year-old schoolboy from the Borders has been recalling the moment he told his classmates he has Tourette's.
Tyler McAuley - who attends Burgh Primary in Galashiels - hopes speaking about it will help more people understand the condition, as well as raise awareness of a series of school fundraisers.
He revealed his biggest challenge can be hiding his tics from people he fears could be offended - including his own teachers.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio to mark Tourette's Awareness Month, Tyler said: "It's quite hard, especially in school, so I try to wait until I'm back home and then just close my door.
"If everything's quiet, I sometimes feel I need to tic - I don't like to. So then I don't do my work, I just think: 'What will happen if I do it, will I get in trouble?'
"The first time I told everybody I had Tourette's, the first thing they asked was: 'Is that where you swear?'"
But he added: "When you have Tourette's, it's not always you swearing; it can just be facial things or something."
In fact, according to the NHS, swearing is rare and only affects about 1 in 10 people with Tourette's syndrome.
Tics are the main symptom, and can be both vocal and physical - including saying random words and grimacing.
Tyler said: "I've been doing them a lot lately, which is annoying - especially because of school.
"With having new teachers, and them not knowing, I feel scared; so the only time I tic is when people are talking so then I feel like they won't hear me."
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Despite his struggles, the selfless youngster, and a number of his classmates in P5-6, are taking part in a series of fundraisers this week to raise money for the Margaret Kerr Unit, which provides end of life care to patients at Borders General Hospital.
They include a bake sale today (Monday), a sponsored silence on Wednesday and a head shave on Thursday.
The pupils - who have set themselves a £2,000 target - have organised the events after learning of a local family’s battle with cancer.
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Tyler said: "I don't really need my hair (as much as the Margaret Kerr Unit needs the funds)."
His classmate Noah Sparham added: "Some people were quite shocked. I've done (sponsored) walks before but I've never done anything like this."
Noah's mum, Debbie, who runs Sorriso Hair Salon in Galashiels, will be helping with the head shave. She's got a sponsor form for her son at her shop in Bank Street.
Tyler's mum, Natasha, has also set-up an online fundraising page - you can find out more and donate here.
Are you involved in a fundraising event you'd like to share on the radio? Email our reporter: ally.mcgilvray@bauermedia.co.uk