A young Irish boy wearing a Celtic top has gone viral with his fundraising campaign for life-changing treatment in America.
Four-year-old Rory Gallagher has cerebral palsy and despite doctors telling his parents he would never be able to walk or talk, the young Hoops fan is defying the odds and taking each hurdle one step at a time - literally.
Rory is now able to talk and in a touching video posted on his official fundraising Twitter page, he is seen rising out of a chair and standing - using only a walking frame for stability.
The post accompanying the amazing video tagged Celtic Footbal Club in the hopes of raising awareness for Rory's plight and said: "Rory's standing up 2 cerebral palsy he won't give up on his wish to walk @celticfc can u help us make Rorys wish come true #TeamRory"
Pls R/T Rorys standing up 2 cerebral palsy👍he won't give up on his wish to walk @celticfc can u help us make Rorys wish come true 💚#TeamRory pic.twitter.com/pLeaYT4hQ3
— roryswish (@roryswishtowalk) September 2, 2017
Reaction to the video has been overhwelming with messages of support and encouragement from both Celtic and Rangers fans.
What a wee legend ❤️💙 all the best wee man! We are all #TeamRory regardless of fave footy teams 😊
— Angela MacDonald (@AngieBop84) September 2, 2017
Well done rory keep up the fight we are all behind you 💚🍀#TeamRory
— . (@Buckley1888K) September 2, 2017
Celtic haven't responded to Rory's tweet yet, but with over 4,200 retweets, it's only a matter of time before he grabs the club's attention.
(Photo credit: @roryswishtowalk)
Rory's family have so far raised €57,165 (£52,345) of a €120k (£108k) target through their Rory Gallaghers wish to walk Go Fund Me page for operations Rory desperately needs.
His mum, Shauna and dad, Gerry, wrote: "Like any parents, all we want is the best for our child. We hope that Rory will have the ability to live an independent life, hopefully we will see him able to care for himself to a certain level.
"We are putting in as much time and effort as we can now so that hopefully when Rory is a young adult he will be able to do the simple things in life that we take for granted."
Rory requires a Femoral Osteotomy, a surgery which has to be carried out on both of his thigh bones. He also needs a pelvic Pemberton Osteotomy on both hips.
To make a donation to Rory Gallgher's wish to walk campaign, CLICK HERE.
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