A KIND-HEARTED youngster from Stourport has been presented with a national friendship award after raising hundreds of pounds for a food bank.
In April, Corey Clark took it upon himself to raise funds for the Food Share Wyre Forest Project after hearing that people in his community were struggling to afford to eat.
Over one week of the Easter holidays, the eight-year who has ADHD and autism, walked 10 miles around his area, raising £920.
Corey, aged 8.
The money helped support the refurbishment of the community centre on Hermitage Way which hosts the food project.
At the end of July, Corey, and his family along with four other winners were invited to London by global toy company Mattel to be presented with their ‘Thomas and Friends International Friendship Day Award’.
The five young winners all aged between four and eight years old were presented with their award by JLS star and celebrity dad Aston Merrygold.
Corey’s mum, Sara said the day was fantastic.
Corey receiving his award.
“I am so proud of Corey, he has been bullied in the past which has been mainly down to his love for trains,” said Sara.
“Other children think he is too old to be obsessing over something like he does, so it has been hard for him.
Sara added: “On the day of the ceremony, Corey was gobsmacked and couldn’t stop smiling.
Corey Clark.
“However, he couldn’t grasp that Aston Merrygold was a proper celebrity until he saw a picture of him in a national newspaper after.”
The celebrity popstar said: “I feel very privileged to have been able to host the inaugural Thomas & Friends International Friendship Day Awards and to meet and give some of these very special children their trophies.
“Hearing their stories has made it feel very special because all these children have done amazing things of their own accord.”
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