Four-year-old with a neurological condition raised £80,000 for charity with inspirational walking challenges.

Gregor, from Orkney, was born with a condition affecting his balance and motor skills. However, the determined little boy surprised his family when he learned to walk short distances independently over the last year.

He then decided to take on a fundraising challenge – to walk “30 loops o’ the hoose” every day for 30 days. Gregor persevered and completed the daily laps around his Kirkwall home, without his walker, each day starting in February. He wore his kilt on the first day, and even braved pouring rain to get his steps in.

The initial plan was to raise £500 for Inclusive Orkney, a charity that provides activities and events for children with additional support needs. However, Gregor captured local, national and even international attention with his courageous spirit and infectious positivity, and within days he had raised more than £10,000. The fundraising total has now soared to more than £73,000.

Determined to keep fundraising, Gregor then committed to walking 1.2 miles to the nursery on the four days a week that he attended throughout August. The new challenge has raised a further £7,000 and counting for two charities, Clan Cancer Support and Soma’s Light, which provides mental health support for young people in Orkney.

Gregor’s mum Iona says: “When Gregor was just a few months old I knew something wasn’t right because he still couldn’t reach certain milestones, like sitting up or crawling.

“We still don’t have a proper diagnosis, but Gregor is so strong and determined, he just wanted to be on his feet. When he finally pushed up onto his hands and knees it was such a miracle. He was so pleased with himself.

“Then when he was three-and-a-half, he just suddenly let go of the physio’s hands and walked across the room. I thought, ‘Wow he can do this’.

“A few months later he said ‘Mummy, I want to be able to walk outside like other boys and girls’. We talked about what would make him happier to try walking outside and we came up with walking around the house for charity. He loved it.

“He is honestly the most inspirational little boy in the world – he keeps surprising us all with his capabilities, and proving that, in the words of Gregor, ‘I can do it.’”

Gregor, who has just turned five, adds: “Doing my walking is making me so happy to raise money for charity and I love all the awesome messages from people.”