Adam King wins Pride of Cork award leaving Twitter fans delighted for the 7-year-old star

The Killeagh lad, who has a rare and lifelong brittle bone condition, Osteogenesis Imperfecta, was honoured with the accolade for his incredible charity work.

He appeared on The Late Late Toy Show in 2020 and captured hearts across Ireland when he gave a virtual hug to the nation in the form of a sign drawn by Adam with the words ‘a hug for you’.

His 'virtual hug' was then turned into a card which raised over €266,000 for Cork University Hospital Charity and Temple Street Children's University Hospital Health Foundation.

Taking to Twitter, his legions of followers shared hundreds of comments congratulating the young man for nabbing an award at the event which was held in Cork on Friday night.

“Congratulations Adam. You are a super star,” one follower wrote.

“Oh my word, comhghairdeachas Adam!! You are an inspiration to us all, kids and grown ups,” added another.

“Adam, you brought so much sunshine to Ireland during a dark & trying time. You are a true hero,” a third person wrote.

Organisers of the Pride of Cork award ceremony shared their reasons why Adam had been chosen for the special recognition.

A spokesperson for the awards said: "His lovely, warm personality that captured the hearts of the nation.”

"His engaging way of communicating with people, how he treats everybody around him and the way that he has spoken about the things that he is dreaming about including his dream to work with NASA.”

"Adam King is one of those very special little boys who has an amazing story of courage, determination and passion for making other people smile,” they added.

"Adam is truly deserving of A Pride of Cork Award so that we can all say a huge thank you to him for everything he has done in this past year in particular and pass on to him all the Virtual Hugs in the world for a fulfilling life that we know he has ahead of him.”

"Adam is supported in life by his mum and dad Fiona and David and his brothers Danny and Robert and his sisters Katie and Sarah, who all believe that life is an adventure.”

"The sharing of Adam's adventures is all about inspiring, supporting and empowering others, especially children and families living with additional needs".

Other recipients of a Pride of Cork award include Irish Independent journalist Ralph Riegel, founder of drug education programme Alex’s Adventure Nicole Ryan, hosts of The Two Norries podcast James Leonard and Timmy Long, and singer Karen Underwood.

The event, which was held at Clayton Hotel Silver Springs on Friday March 11th was hosted by RTE broadcaster Miriam O’Callaghan.