Eight-year-old William’s huge charity challenge for children’s hospital that saved his life
Posted on: 6 Aug 2025
An eight-year-old boy, who underwent a double leg amputation and lost nine fingers due to sepsis, is taking on a huge charity challenge in aid of the hospital that saved his life.
William Reckless, from Huthwaite, was struck down with sepsis in January 2020, at just three years old. After attending King’s Mill Hospital, William was put into an induced coma and transferred to Nottingham Children’s Hospital, at the Queen’s Medical Centre, for specialist care.
William’s parents, Gemma and Mike, were told to prepare for the worst. His kidneys began to fail, his lung collapsed, he suffered a brain injury, and he was not expected to survive.
Thanks to the care William received, he survived his ordeal – but the sepsis had caused irreversible damage, meaning he had to have both of his legs and nine of his fingers amputated.
Now, five years on from his ordeal, William has marked the fifth anniversary of his amputations by taking on a huge challenge in aid of Nottingham Hospitals Charity and Sepsis Research.
On Tuesday 5th August, William, who uses prosthetic legs, and his little sister Georgia walked 5k and cycled a further 5k, to reflect the five years that has passed since his surgery.
The money William raises for Nottingham Hospitals Charity will go towards helping other children and families being cared for at Nottingham Children’s Hospital, by funding things like specialist equipment and improvements to facilities such as play areas and family rooms.
Mum Gemma Reckless said: “Nottingham Hospitals Charity are incredibly close to our hearts. They make life a little easier for people going through the darkest times. We were eternally grateful to benefit from the parent accommodation when William was in the Paediatric Care Unit and we couldn’t bear to be away from him. This was fully funded by the charity.
“Mike and I are so proud of William and Georgia. The effort they have put in the last few weeks training for the challenge has been huge, and that paid off. William’s had to really dig deep, most people wouldn’t realise the difficulty that comes with being a double amputee, he couldn’t have done it without Georgia by his side.
“Once again we are blown away by their positivity and determination and feel very lucky that this has allowed them to raise an amazing amount of money for two very special charities. We are so incredibly grateful for everyone who continually supports them and has donated.”
Michelle Dorman, Senior Community Fundraising Manager at Nottingham Hospitals Charity, said: “We are so grateful to William and Georgia for taking on this challenge to mark five years since William’s surgery.
“We know the 5k walk and 5k cycle were a huge challenge for William, but with his biggest cheerleader Georgia by his side, and his family and friends there to support him, he managed to complete every step and every pedal.
“William has shown such bravery and determination over the past five years, and the money he and Georgia have raised through this challenge will help other families like theirs during their time at Nottingham Children’s Hospital.”
To sponsor William’s fundraising challenge, please visit www.justgiving.com/page/williamandgeorgiasbig5