News
Colchester parents running and cycling hundreds of miles for their son #BeMoreWilliam
15 May 2023
The parents of a six-year-old Colchester boy who has Angelman Syndrome are taking on a ‘Hundreds of Miles for Hundreds of Smiles’ challenge this year to raise funds for desperately needed equipment.
William Goodson from Messing, Colchester was diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome at nine months old. He suffers frequent seizures, is non-verbal and cannot walk unaided. He has also contracted a life-limiting superbug which attacks his respiratory system. He frequently stops breathing and has endured more than 50 trips in ambulances so far. He will never be able to live independently.
He won a highly commended Child of Courage Award at the Pride of Essex 2019 awards.
His parents Andrew, 42, an insolvency practitioner and Emma, 41, a chartered nuclear engineer, fundraise constantly for therapies and equipment for William which are not available on the NHS.
Andrew has already run more than 150 miles over four events this year, with the Saxon 100-mile run coming up next month followed by the Saltmarsh 75-mile race in July, and the 200 km Hootiful Hundreds in September, to name but a few. Meantime Emma will be taking part in the 100-mile Ride London – Essex in May, a two-mile Serpentine swim in September, the Chicago Marathon in October and the Portsmouth Coastal Marathon in December. Between the two, they expect to cover more than 600 miles in fundraising events this year.
William and his four-year-old brother Eli will also be taking part in events, starting with a 2km Junior Park Run in June. More details will be posted on the Hundreds of Miles for Hundreds of Smiles YouTube channel and Facebook page.
Current fundraising priorities include an adapted trike, a wheelchair with off-road facility so that they can take him to the beach and the woods more easily and a hydrotherapy pool.
‘William loves being in water and it also helps with his strength and mobility. We used to be able to take William to a hydrotherapy pool where he loved simply walking around. It was really good for his muscles and if he lost his balance, it didn’t matter.’
‘Sadly that pool is now closed to the public, but we would love to be able to replicate it at home.’
‘We are very lucky to have supportive friends, family and community and are incredibly grateful for every penny donated, all of which goes towards a better quality of life for William. He spreads smiles and joy to all he meets.’
William's Dad
The family is being supported by children’s charity Tree of Hope which helps families fundraise for children like William with healthcare needs, where the NHS can’t support and provides charity status to benefit from gift aid, corporate support whilst also providing donor reassurance.
Gill Gibb, Tree of Hope CEO said: ‘We wish the family all the best with their impressive challenges and ongoing fundraising for William.’
To donate to William’s fund, visit https://www.treeofhope.org.uk/william-goodson/ or to find out more about the #BeMoreWilliam fundraising campaign visit https://www.facebook.com/emsjg/ Visit the Hundreds of Miles for Hundreds of Smiles YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@HoM4HoS
