Five-year-old Gregor Corse, from Orkney, has been awarded the Good Morning Britain young fundraiser award at this year's annual Pride of Britain ceremony. Gregor was born with a brain condition that affects his balance and motor skills, yet he has raised £80,000 through a walking challenge.
Fundraising Challenge
Gregor decided to walk 30 loops around the house each day for 30 days. Initially, he aimed to raise £500 for a charity in Orkney that provides activities and events for children with additional support needs. His perseverance and determination have since brought in a staggering £80,000.
The young boy appeared on Thursday's instalment of Good Morning Britain (October 22) alongside his mum and presenter Ashley Banjo. ITV's Richard Madeley noted: "What makes it so special is that he was told and his parents were told when he was born that he'd never walk, and he just decided to prove everybody wrong."
Defying Expectations
Speaking to his mother, Iona, she called the entire experience an "emotional rollercoaster" before praising her son. She said: "Never in my wildest dreams would I have expected this. I've always been so proud of him, but I never, ever, expected the whole nation to be behind him as well. It's just so heartwarming."
Richard detailed how doctors told them Gregor would never walk, and asked what the first signs were that he would defy that statement. Iona replied: "To be honest, he's always been a very determined little guy. He's always proved everything. When we were told that he may never walk, I was like, 'I'm not so sure about this. I think he's got the mindset that if he wants to do it, he will do it.' He was about two and a half when he first started crawling, and then after that, he just wanted to be on his feet."
Walking Milestone
Iona told the presenters that he would take a few steps between people, but it was "uncontrolled" as he'd throw himself. However, a year later, during a physio session, the woman made him walk from one room to another. She said: "It was amazing, I never, ever thought that that moment was going to happen. She's doing work with him that's working on his muscles, not doing the walking side of things. She's doing the more in-depth sort of work. It was the final day that she was in Orkney that he just got up and walked."
Although Gregor has raised a staggering amount, he wants to raise more, as he told Ranvir he was going to keep walking to raise a larger amount. When asked where the fundraising idea came from, Iona explained it had come from Gregor himself.
Future Plans
Iona explained that as Gregor became more confident, he'd leave his walking frame by the front door, although he would take it out with him to assist his walking. One day he told his mum that he'd want to walk outside like the other boys and girls. When she asked how they could help him to do that, he suggested walking around the outside of their house, which had a wall around the back for him to hold if needed, as he'd then hold Iona's hand when getting to the front.
It wasn't long before Iona set up a fundraiser for the walk. Gregor told the presenters he's going to put his Pride of Britain Award in his bedroom. Good Morning Britain is available to watch on ITV weekdays from 6am.
