Gregor Corse, a five-year-old from Orkney and winner of the Pride of Britain Child of Courage award, has been motivated to walk again by his snooker idol, Stephen Hendry. Born with a rare neurological condition, Gregor experienced significant difficulty walking after a stomach illness at age three. His mother, Iona, introduced him to Hendry’s YouTube channel, where the seven-time world snooker champion shared tips on playing the game. This encouragement helped Gregor regain his mobility.

Iona, a 32-year-old florist, said that watching Hendry’s snooker program inspired her son to start walking around their home once more. Following this breakthrough, Gregor undertook a series of sponsored walks, during which local businesses supported him by featuring their logos on his clothing. His efforts raised £75,000 for charity.

During the award ceremony, Gregor—who wore a specially made kilt—expressed his desire to compete against Hendry in snooker. Hendry praised Gregor’s determination, calling him “an amazing little boy” and describing his achievements as “totally incredible.” Gregor also shared a lighthearted moment when he saw former reality TV star Sam Thompson dressed in a matching kilt in his honor.

Iona expressed pride in her son’s resilience, highlighting his personal motto, “I can do this.” She recalled a moment when Gregor, while watching Hendry’s online snooker tips, told her he wanted to walk as confidently as his hero and soon afterwards began to walk again unaided.