The courage and bravery of a “wee warrior” from Motherwell has been recognised at the prestigious Daily Record Pride of Scotland Awards, with TSB.
Three years ago when he was just one, Zac Gunn’s parents were told by medical professionals that he needed a lung transplant.
He was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension – a rare, life-limiting condition that affects the heart and lungs.
What that means is that his blood vessels are too small, making it hard for his heart to pump blood around his body.
At that time, Zac was so ill that his family were informed he may not survive to Christmas.
Now four-years-old, he requires intravenous medication around the clock which is administered by a pump he carries around on his back.
Despite the poor initial prognosis, Zac has continued to defy the odds and has astounded doctors and specialists with his attitude to life and his resilience.
On Tuesday night, Zac’s bravery and charisma was recognised when he was presented with a Child of Courage Award.
He was delighted to meet characters from children's television show Paw Patrol as he made his way onto the stage accompanied by mum and dad, Ashley and Gordon, and five-year-old brother Jacob.
There was hardly a dry eye in the house as his award was presented by pro-basketball player, Kieron Achara, and the captain of Scotland's women's international curling team, Eve Muirhead.
Zac was one of three courageous youngsters honoured at The Daily Record Pride of Scotland Awards, with TSB, which celebrate ordinary people doing extraordinary things and shine a spotlight on the nation’s unsung heroes.
The glittering awards ceremony was hosted for the second time by Elaine C. Smith and new host Sanjeev Kohli, took place at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh.
Finding a suitable organ match for Zac has so far proved elusive, as any donor has to be under the age of nine years old. He has spent time undergoing treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.
Zac’s mum Ashley revealed: “When we first went down to Great Ormond Street, doctors said it was the worst case of pulmonary hypertension they had ever seen.
"They could not believe the child who was trying to climb out of his crib was the same child whose results were in front of them. Zac seems to have a special effect on everyone he meets and he deserves to keep on living. He’s a wee warrior.”
While in hospital he impressed former Manchester United and Real Madrid idol David Beckham, and he also became friends with Liverpool wing back and Scotland captain Andy Robertson and enjoyed a trip to Anfield.
The red-carpet awards ceremony will be broadcast on STV in July and featured an exclusive performance by musical duo Saint PHNX – brothers Stevie and Alan Jukes from WIshaw.
Other Child of Courage Award winners on the night were six-year-old Mila Sneddon from Stenhousemuir, who had to endure cancer treatment in isolation, and Kieran Reid, 12, from Avoch on the Moray Firth.
The youngster raised thousands of pounds for the local RNLI following the death of his dad Craig, 25, who was killed after being washed overboard from a fishing trawler in 2016.
Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like and share!
