Tennis star Greg Rusedski has promised to help national "Child of Courage" Award winner Cornel Hrisca Munn raise funds for a specialist rehabilitation centre in Romania.

The 12-year-old Blessed Edward Oldcorne pupil, from Whittingham, near Worcester, met the Canadian-born player at the Pride of Britain Awards in March when plans for the centre were just an idea.

However, now a registered charity, called Cornel's Rehabilitation Centre, has been set up and has so far raised around £2,000 since March - bringing the total to just over £6,000.

The aim of the charity is to operate a specialist centre for physically disabled people in Constanta, which is in eastern Romania on the coast of the Black Sea, by addressing the problem of the lack of provisions of prosthetic and orthotic devices.

Cornel, who was born in Romania, hopes to give other children the chance of receiving similar assistance locally to what he received in the UK.

Cornel's mother Doreen Munn said the long-term aim was to establish a combined clinical and educational facility where patients are treated and staff are trained to carry out the work so eventually the centre will be run by local personnel.

However a minimum of £165,000 is needed to finance both the construction and the running costs of the centre.

"Greg Rusedski approached Cornel at the award show," said Mrs Munn.

"I have been in touch with his agent since and he said whenever we need him to help he would."

Besides Mrs Munn and her husband Ken, another trustee is Ken McCrea, a prosthetist, who has been helping children in Romania for over a year.

Worcester residents have also been raising money.

Three weeks ago Dawn Arnold, aged 45, organised a raffle at Kays warehouse which raised £200.

"We are very grateful to Mrs Arnold for doing that," said Mrs Munn.

"If everyone at their workplace did the same it would be great for us."

Anyone who would like to organise a fund-raising event, make a donation or become a member of the charity can contact Mrs Munn on 01905 354363.