Will Alexander, the 11-year-old boy from Wyke Primary in Gillingham, walked 70m of his local rugby pitch on 1 May, with the support of his family, friends, and the entire North Dorset Rugby Club by his side. Raising over £10k for Brain Tumour Charity – more than double his goal – it landed him a post on the England Rugby twitter account.
Walking for Will has been no mean feat following his brain cancer operation during lockdown, because he then developed Posterior Fossa Syndrome, which causes weakness and balance problems, taking away his ability to walk independently at such a young age.
“A massive thank you for getting Will’s story in the magazine. What a lovely surprise to find him in there!” said mum, Leah. “Will’s Walk was totally amazing! There were SO many people watching and cheering him on, the atmosphere was incredible. Will told me his heart was beating very fast before he set off because he was so nervous, but he did a sterling job, and his smile at the end said it all.
“The North Dorset Rugby club were brilliant in organising the walk and holding fundraising activities, and the crowd were so generous, adding another £1,000 on the day through the kindness of everyone watching.”