WHEN Liam Murray decided to return to studying in his late 30s, walking into university could have been a daunting experience.

After years running his own hairdressing salon, making the decision to pursue his dream of taking up a performing arts course at the University of Sunderland was a risk he was willing to take.

Liam, 38, suffers from transverse myelitis, an inflammation of both sides of one section of the spinal cord. The neurological disorder which affects his muscles can leave Liam feeling self-conscious, so turning up on his first day at university was quite a challenge.

But it was a challenge he was able to overcome thanks to 20-year-old Thomas Crosby. Also starting a degree in Performing Arts, Thomas, from Redcar, was the first person to speak to Liam and the pair became instant friends, despite coming from very different backgrounds.

Now, Liam has nominated Thomas for a Rate Your Mate award which aims to shine a light on hard working students who go above and beyond in their studies, life and work while at the University.

Liam, from Boldon, said: “I hadn’t been in university for 10 years and Thomas just came up and started talking to me.

“It helped put me at ease because I felt like I stood out. I was a lot older than everybody else, and my condition can also make me self-conscious.”

Thomas, from Redcar, saw his new friend was a little nervous and did everything he could to help.

He said: “I just wanted to help him settle in; if he needs something carrying, then I’ll do it, or we’ll sit together and help each other learn lines.

“We laugh quite a lot and wind each other up which is brilliant fun. I had no idea he had nominated me for this award.”

Rate Your Mate is unique in that all nominations are made by friends of the nominees who are also based at the University.

The pair, who are both in their second year of studies, are now looking forward to turning their ambitions into careers, with Thomas hoping to go on and teach drama, while Liam would like to do some acting.

Liam said: “Thomas really made an effort to go above and beyond to make me feel welcome, and I won’t forget that. Besides, I felt sorry for him because he’s a Boro fan.”