Huthwaite: Charity walk for boy who lost legs after sepsis

William raised £5,000 for charity by walking and cycling four miles in total

A seven-year-old boy who had both his legs amputated after surviving sepsis has walked further than he has ever done before to raise money for charity.

William walked two miles using his prosthetic legs and cycled a further two miles in a hand-bike for Nottingham Hospitals Charity.

The boy, from Huthwaite in Nottinghamshire, raised £5,600.

His mother Gemma said: "I knew he'd smash it but to see his hard work and determination... I'm really proud."

William was struck down with sepsis in January 2020 at the age of three.

After being taken to King's Mill Hospital in Sutton-in-Ashfield, William was put into an induced coma and transferred to Nottingham Children's Hospital, at the Queen's Medical Centre (QMC), for specialist care.

On arrival, William suffered a cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated. At that point, the family were told to prepare for the worst and he was not expected to survive. 

The sepsis caused irreversible damage, which meant William had to have both of his legs and nine of his fingers amputated.

William was supported by his family and friends for his charity fundraiser

William took on the challenge surrounded by his family and friends at Kingsway Park, in Kirkby-in-Ashfield, on Sunday.

He was cheered home and was met with a kiss from his mother as he crossed the line.

"He's touched a lot of hearts, people have been so generous, we are really grateful," she told the BBC.

Asked if he would be up for some more walking challenges in the future, William said he was looking forward to a good rest first.

William was greeted with a kiss from mum Gemma as he crossed the line

The money William raises through the challenge will be donated to the Big Appeal for Nottingham Children's Hospital.

It will go towards improvements to facilities such as play areas and family rooms across the hospital and its new neonatal unit.