Gregor Corse, a five-year-old from Orkney born with a rare neurological condition, learned to walk again after watching his snooker idol Stephen Hendry, and has since raised more than £75,000 for charity. He collected the Child of Courage trophy at the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards in partnership with P&O Cruises.
Inspired by snooker idol
At the age of three and a half, Gregor was struggling to get back on his feet after being laid low with a tummy bug. His mum Iona, 32, a florist on the Scottish island of Orkney, came up with the idea of encouraging her determined 'wee man' to put his best foot forward.
She found an unlikely path to recovery - Hendry's YouTube channel giving tips on how to play snooker. Gregor told his mum he would love to walk like Stephen Hendry on Cue Tips, and then he let himself go and started to walk again.
Charity walks take off
Gregor decided he would do walks 'aroon the hoose' to help other children and started wearing uniforms - including a policeman's and a fireman's - before local businesses sponsored him to wear their logos. His mum recalled her son dressing as a fireman and police officer and receiving a visit from the Lord Lieutenant as his charity walks captured the hearts of thousands of donors.
Iona said: "I am so proud of him. His motto is: 'I can do this'. One day he was sitting watching Stephen Hendry's snooker programme online. He said to me that he would love to walk like Stephen Hendry on Cue Tips. And then he let himself go and started to walk again. Every time he did a loop around the house, I would put a little ball on the snooker table for him. Right in the very beginning of the fundraising, he was wearing a kilt."
Hendry's promise
Hendry promised he would give Gregor a game on Good Morning Britain as he presented their Young Fundraiser award. He presented him not only with the coveted trophy, but with a new cue and said: "You do what you do, and you have no idea of the people watching it and the impact it might have. Gregor is an amazing little boy, what he has done is just totally incredible. To have that mindset, it is great to see."
Gregor had only one thing on his mind when he collected his trophy - he wanted a game of snooker with the seven times world champion. Former 'I'm a Celebrity' winner Sam Thompson donned a kilt, blazer and hat to match Gregor's outfit, and Gregor loved it.
The Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards airs on Thursday 22 October at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
