Courageous Cameron recognised with Hero’s award
Cameron Fincher has rubbed shoulders with ex-footballers, TV celebrities and even the former prime minister in recent months.
But the winner of the Hero’s Handshake award for October is never happier than when on his local course at Kings Hill chipping and putting away to his heart’s content.
He attends coaching sessions at his own club and also at Leeds Castle and this year claimed the title as World
Crazy Golf champion during a fun event in Hastings. However, all that seemed light years away when he fell ill in 2018.
Young Cameron has just celebrated his 10th birthday – and it was a party dad Dave, mum Debbie and twin sister Megan were happy to share with him.
Some 18 months ago Cameron’s life and that of his family was turned upside down when he took unwell and was rushed to hospital before being placed in a High Dependency Unit.
Doctors eventually diagnosed Type 1 diabetes and after a harrowing few days, Cameron’s strength of character helped to pull him through.
When nurses started to explain the details of his illness, Cameron’s first thoughts were could he keep playing and how quickly could he return to golf? After building up his fitness, regaining his strength and re-discovering his confidence, Cameron is now back playing the sport he loves.
As well as coping with his illness and getting back into golf, Cameron has found time to raise awareness and funds for the JDRF charity (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation). Along with devoted sister Megan, he ran a 5k race in the summer and posts regularly on social media to highlight the charity.
Cameron said: “It was nice to be told that I have inspired some people with my attitude towards golf and I felt really happy and surprised to have been chosen for the award. “I think golf is the best game ever and more people should try it. You can’t always win but you can always have fun.” Cameron had no idea he was going to receive the award when he rolled up at his golf club on Sunday.
“He is just mad on golf, completely obsessed,” said mum Debbie. “His illness really set him back quite a bit. He lost a lot of weight and his confidence and we’ve slowly built him back up.
“He was blue-lighted to hospital and we very nearly lost him. But he showed courage to battle through. “From the age of five he was hooked on golf.”