Gerard Butler hailed a seriously ill Scots tot as a 'warrior' and said he'll be his 'wingman anytime'.
The Hollywood star sent a touching video message to Zac Gunn from Motherwell, North Lanarkshire earlier this month. The four-year-old was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension aged one.
The condition is life-limiting as his heart struggles to pump blood around the body, the Scottish Daily Express reports. Medics feared that he would not live to see Christmas Day back in 2019.
Defying all odds, Zac continues to fight on and received a 'Child of Courage' award at the Pride of Scotland awards earlier this month. He was congratulated, not only by his favourite Paw Patrol characters, but also by movie legend, Gerard.
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The 52-year-old actor, who hails from Elderslie, Renfrewshire said: "First I want to congratulate you Zac because you're a wee warrior, you're my warrior. All right I'll be your wingman anytime congratulations Zac you are the pride of Scotland."
Zac's mum Ashley said: “He’s ticking all the boxes that he shouldn’t be ticking, so they’re the parts that make us as a mum and dad, and, as a family, so proud of him. I’m not proud that we’re here, I’m proud that he’s our boy.”
The plucky lad is in desperate need of a new set of lungs but because he is so small his donor needs to be under nine-years-old. And, as the new opt-out system for organ donation does not apply to children under 16, Zac’s life now depends on a family making a difficult decision as their own little one lies dying.
Mum of two Ashley, 34, told the Record last year: “I’m hoping by sharing Zac’s story it will raise awareness of organ donation in kids and will encourage families to have the difficult ‘what if’ conversation so they are prepared if the worst were to happen. It’s natural for parents to want to cling onto their dying child but we are clinging on to our wee boy too.
"Zac is such a wee fighter and we will fight for him with every breath in our bodies.”
The youngster was diagnosed after five weeks of tests, firstly at Wishaw General Hospital and then at Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children before his case was transferred to London’s Great Ormond Street. Zac has been an inspiration to those who know him, which led judges to award him the prize at the ceremony in Edinburgh.
The Pride of Scotland Awards celebrate ordinary people doing extraordinary things and sees awe-inspiring Scots being recognised for their outstanding achievements. Hosted by Elaine C Smith and Sanjeev Kohli, the awards were attended by a host of stars including The Mummy’s John Hannah, Eastenders’ Laurie Brett, Holby City’s Joe McFadden, Still Game’s Gavin Mitchell and Greg Hemphill and Emmerdale’s Natalie Robb.
All will pay special tribute to our 10 people’s champions.
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