Ashby's Ivanhoe Club snooker player Daniel Blunn has built a reputation as being one of the best players in the world.

Daniel may have been born with Cerebral Palsy - but that has not stopped him from winning 16 World Disability Billiard and Snooker titles so far.

He is the most successful player on the WDBS tour and has been inducted into the World Snooker Tour Hall of Fame.

Daniel is not only a pacesetter in his chosen sport - but also serves as an inspiration to show that great things can be achieved for anyone with a disability, as he explains in the video below.

He is based in Sutton Coldfield but joined the Ivanhoe Club in 2012 after a chance meeting at an event in Derbyshire.

However, his frequent trips to Europe and beyond cost money - and that is why the Ivanhoe Club will be staging a special night with snooker professional Dave Gilbert, ranked 22 in the world, over the Christmas holiday week.

The event takes place on December 28 - details are on the poster below - with the money raised being used to sponsor Daniel's snooker career.

Daniel told Ashby Nub News about his connection with the Ivanhoe Club - which is helping his cause by organising the fundraiser with Donisthorpe-born Gilbert and who is based at the Potter's Club in Swadlincote

He said: "It's incredibly kind what the Ivanhoe Club has done.

"I've been asking for sponsorship from businesses, but then I asked the Ivanhoe because I've been coming here since November, 2012.

"We came up with the idea of doing a snooker night and they'd spoken to Dave Gilbert. He was more than happy to do it.

Daniel has been inducted into the World Snooker Tour Hall of Fame. Photos: Ashby Nub News

"I can't thank them enough, it's going to be a great night."

Daniel is open about his disability and how he adapts his game as a result.

He said: "I was born with Cerebral Palsy. But I don't let if affect me adversely, we're all different aren't we? So that's me. It affects my arms and my legs, and the right hand side of my body rather than my left. I was born 13 weeks early so I think that was the culprit.

"But I've found something that I enjoy and can play.

"Snooker gives me the exercise I need. I'd struggle kicking a football around."

Since it was first established in 2011, just 37 individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the sport have been inducted into the Hall of Fame, which now includes Blunn – who entered alongside 2023 World Snooker champion Luca Brecel in the 'class of 2024′.

Daniel, 33, says he found his calling through snooker - and shown he can get to the top.

He added: "I've always had a fascination for it since I was young.

"I was hooked when I had a five-feet-by-two snooker table for Christmas.

"The Ivanhoe Club have been great, they've welcomed me and done things for me, it's been really nice.

"They don't treat me like I'm disabled, and I'm glad they don't. I want to go there as a normal person."