'I trekked in China for hospital that saved me'

Will Blisset has raised more than £11,750 for Alder Hey Children's Hospital

A man who trekked along the Great Wall of China to fundraise for the children's hospital "that saved his life" has said it was an "unbelievable" experience despite being unable to take the final steps of the challenge.

At 14 years old Will Blisset was hit by a car in Andreas in 2018. He was airlifted to Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool for treatment for fractures to his face and head.

He said the trek was "another level of challenging" and after underestimating the hot and humid conditions came down with heat stroke on the penultimate day.

The now 21-year-old said it was "upsetting" to miss the last leg, but was "so rewarding" to have raised more than £11,750 for the charity.

Mr Blisset received treatment for four months at the hospital when he was a child, including support to learn to walk again.

He said although he still faced "some challenges", including his memory not being his "strongest point anymore", he had become "fully mobile again" and had "all cognitive function" thanks to the care he received.

When he returned years later on a placement as part of his psychology degree, the Edge Hill student spotted a poster advertising the 21-mile (35km) trek.

Mr Blisset joined a group of fundraisers who walked for five days along the Great Wall of China

The fundraiser said every step of the challenge had needed to be "laser focused so you didn't lose your footing" on the steep slopes which were "beyond belief" at times.

"The views were unfathomable and the group of fundraisers and consultants in the group were amazing."

But a "lapse in concentration due to how brilliant the trek was cost me the last day" and the final 1.8m (3km) of the expedition, which had been "a kick in the teeth", he said.

The trek included consultants and fundraisers from the charity

Mr Blisset said it had been "so rewarding" to know that his fundraising efforts, which started months before the trek and included coffee mornings and quizzes, had contributed to the "lifesaving care delivered every day" at the hospital.

"I arrived at Alder Hey needing a miracle to have a chance at life, and the staff there gave me that, they saved me.

"This was my way to say thank you.

"The whole experience has been once in a lifetime, and then some", he added