A BRAVE Skipton youngster who keeps on smiling despite suffering complications stemming from a rare heart disorder, was able to meet a host of celebrities at the Professor Stephen Hawking memorial service at Westminster Abbey last Friday.

George Hall, six, who is a pupil at Water Street Primary School, was one of 1,000 members of the public picked to attend the service.

He had been invited through his grandmother, Nicola Garbutt, who is a trustee of the charity Breathe On UK, of which Professor Hawking was patron.

At the service George met several stars including Benedict Cumberbatch, Piers Morgan, Charlotte Hawkins and David Walliams, along with astronaut Tim Peake.

His uncle, Toby Garbutt, explained George has a tracheostomy to help him breathe at night through a life support machine.

His nephew was born with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (CCTGA) and underwent an operation at six days old which was not successful, causing further problems.

The youngster has also had several further heart and tummy operations and has a pacemaker fitted.

He recently has had severe tummy problems and he needs to carry a drainage bag and is fed through his nose for 20 hours a day.

However, Mr Garbutt says his nephew remains an example to everyone.

“He gives so much hope to others and as family we get some amazing messages. He defies the odds.”

Mr Garbutt said George’s school goes “above and beyond” to make him welcome and to address his needs.

Mr Garbutt has trained to care for George, and George’s mother, Holly Pearson, has completed her second year on a health and social care degree course at the University of Bradford despite George spending months in hospital having treatment in Sheffield, Newcastle and Leeds.”