The annual Late Late Toy show was once again packed full of of toys, but more than that it was a showcase of some amazing kids, none more so than Adam King from east Cork.
The school boy appeared on the Toy Show special with host Ryan Tubridy to tell him and the more than 1.5m people who had tuned in of his plan for the future: he is going to be a captain in NASA, the American space agency, Cork Beo reports.
In a heart-rending moment, Adam climbed out of his wheelchair and explained to Tubridy that while he can’t be an astronaut because he has brittle bones, he most certainly can be a commander on the ground.
“Instead you can be the guy with microphone underneath on the ground,” Tubridy said.
In the surprise we all needed given the year it's been, Adam was also reunited with his hero, John Doyle, and while Doyle might not have the name recognition of a pop star or Premier League player he us “the nicest hospital porter in Ireland.”
Adam knows Doyle well from his hospital stays at Temple St Children’s Hospital in Dublin. A clearly delighted Adam waved at his friend John, a true hero.
The front line worker told the nation that “Adam has such an infectious smile that even the darkest planet would light up.”
Adam was born with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). It's a condition which causes brittle bone and causes stunted growth which can make him prone to fractures.
Mayo scientist and astronaut candidate Dr. Norah Patten tweeted at Adam, telling the Killeagh boy that he us a star and that she would love to meet up sometime.
The Irish Embassy in Washington also chimed in to tweet Adam and tell him they will contact NASA on his behalf.
Adam's dad David tweeted that the family of six were overwhelmed with messages of support from across the country.
"Time to dream about space - he's already shooting for the stars. Thank you all so much. Especially thanks to all the @RTELateLateShow."
The Toy Show took a deviation this year and instead of a competition, an appeal was launched to raise money for Irish charities.
Host Ryan Tubridy said: "Every year on the Toy Show we are inspired by children across Ireland, with stories of hope, resilience and triumph over adversity. In this exceptional year, we have been moved by the generosity of the children of Ireland as they have looked out for one another and those less fortunate in their communities.
"Tonight on the Toy Show we launch this appeal to spread the Toy Show magic across the year to children who need it most."
By the end The Late Late Toy Show the appeal had raised a staggering €5.2million.
