26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
I spent my childhood in hospital, now at 81 I am top of this game
Peter Cameron is still feels he's top of the table despite hitting his eighth decade and living with the aftermath of a hip infection which meant one of his legs is shorter than the other.
The wiff-waff veteran, 81, still turns up at Drumchapel Table Tennis Club twice a week to play and be part of a community which has shaped his life for over six decades.
A former Scotland international and the only disabled player to have represented the country in table tennis, he spent most of his childhood in hospital due to a rare form of tuberculosis in the hip.
Despite living with long-term health conditions and mobility challenges, he rose to become Scottish table tennis No. 2, played for Team Scotland, and later ranked No. 2 in the UK Paralympic scene - often competing - and winning - against players 40 years his junior.
Peter in action (Image: DTTC) The long-time-player us sharing his story to help raise awareness of a creative fundraising effort taking place to gather funds for the club.
The TOPSP!N exhibition has been launched at Wasps Studios, South Block in Glasgow, combining art and sport with a unique collection of works on sale to the public at large.
Mr Cameron, from Glasgow, said: 'There's no way a disability should keep you back and I have competed against English and European champions without feeling that I'd disgraced myself or that I'd let my team down.
'I've been disabled for 77 years and have a left hip and leg shorter than the right by nine inches, and every member of the medical staff that I've dealt with me says keep playing because it has been so beneficial to you.
'Drumchapel has given me as rich a life as it seems possible to get. I am greeted with salutes every time I enter the club and do not have shortage of members queuing to play me. How can you beat that?'
Peter has been a member of the club for six decades (Image: DTTC) He added: 'The pride that I take from being the only disabled player to play for Scotland and, unless I'm mistaken, the only disabled player to win the West of Scotland Veterans Championships and also to reach the semi Finals of the Worlds Consolation championships is profound. Not too shabby for a wee Glasgow boy.'
The TOPSP!N, exhibition will showcase a collection of bespoke, artist-designed table tennis paddles, each transformed into a one-of-a-kind artwork.
Contributing artists, illustrators and designers span a mix of local talent and international names, with every paddle available to purchase through a silent auction. All proceeds will go directly to DTTC, a grassroots sports organisation that plays a vital role in supporting youth development, fitness and community engagement in Glasgow and across Scotland.
Some of the bats up for auction (Image: Topsp!n) TOPSP!N is open to the public now and will run until Sunday 27 April.
The line-up of contributors includes celebrated comic book artist Frank Quitely, renowned Scottish landscape painter Robert Kelsey, acclaimed hip-hop artist Bemz, and signwriting and lettering specialists Bungo Sign Co, represented by Rachel E Millar and Sure Signs. Other artists featured in the exhibition include illustrator Agata Pietrusz, visual artist Craig Black, West African visual artists Osa Seven and Adaora Lumina, and Glasgow-based duo Conzo:Globel, made up of Ciaran Globel and Conzo Throb.
Luke McCarthy, Founder and Creative Director at Pim-Pam, said: 'TOPSP!N is more than just an exhibition — it's a celebration of creativity, collaboration and community. By merging art with sport, we're raising valuable funds for a club that has made a lasting impact on hundreds of lives across Glasgow and beyond.'
