Eight-year-old Huthwaite boy who raised £8k for charity after losing both legs to sepsis named as Young Fundraiser of the Year

William Reckless, eight, has been crowned Young Fundraiser of the Year at the 2024 GoCardless JustGiving Awards, after raising thousands of pounds for the hospital that saved his life. 

From Huthwaite,William, was one of eight winners announced at the ceremony in London, with his award presented to him by TV personality Jake Quickenden alongside last year’s winner 13-year-old Harry Smith. 

Overall, there were more than 18,000 public nominations this year followed by over 50,000 votes between all award finalists. 

William said: “I feel so happy to win and grateful to everyone who voted for me. It means a lot to me because I put a lot of hard work into the fundraising challenges, so it makes me feel very proud. I hope it helps the hospital who saved my life.” 

In January 2020, William, then aged three, was struck down by sepsis.  

William’s parents were forced to prepare for the worst as the infectious disease caused William to suffer a cardiac arrest which led to him being put into an induced coma.  

The disease had a lifechanging impact on William as he had both of his legs and nine of his fingers amputated.  

Despite this, William bravely took on all the new challenges he faced, and earlier this year he even decided to give back to the hospital that cared for him.  

William took on a sponsored four-mile walk and hand-cycle to raise funds for Nottingham University Hospitals Charity and with the help of his sister, family and friends, he raised over £8,000 for the charity - doubling his initial £4,000 target. 

William’s mum, Gemma, added: “I am immensely proud of William. Four years ago, I couldn’t imagine how his future would look so to see him achieving this award is beyond anything I could have dreamed.  

“He’s shown such determination and strength he’s always been our hero, but for that to be recognised by others is very special. We are so grateful to everyone who has supported him and to JustGiving for helping a little boy realise he can achieve anything he sets his mind to.”  

Between the 21 finalists and Special Recognition Award winner at this year’s GoCardless JustGiving Awards over £16 million has been raised for good causes.   

This year’s finalists were shortlisted by a panel of nine judges including professional strictly dancer Amy Dowden, broadcaster Adele Roberts, TV personality Jake Quickenden, Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds, TV presenter Sunetra Sarker and returning judge, radio presenter Rickie Haywood-Williams. They were also joined by JustGiving president, Pascale Harvie, and managing director at headline sponsor GoCardless, Pat Phelan.  

However, it was the 50,000 votes cast by the public that led to the final winners being selected.  

As well as the celebrity judges, the star-studded event was hosted by British broadcaster Rylan Clark and attended by celebrities including ITV’s Charlotte Hawkins, Celebrity Big Brother and Netflix’s Bradley Riches, Love Island’s Faye Winter and former Olympian Fatima Whitbread.  

Lindsey Burrow, wife of the late Rob Burrow was also in attendance to accept a Special Recognition award in her husband’s honour.  

Host Rylan said: “It was incredible to host last night’s GoCardless JustGiving awards to celebrate the amazing work the winners and finalists have done this year to raise money for causes close to their hearts. They should all be really proud of themselves!”   

Pascale Harvie, President and General Manager of JustGiving said: "Huge congratulations to wonderful William on his fantastic award win.  

“We’ve all been completely blown away by him and what he’s achieved, despite what he’s been through at such a young age. He really is amazing and a true inspiration to us all." 

Pat Phelan, MD of UK & Ireland and Chief Customer Officer at GoCardless said: "It was an honour to see William rewarded for his efforts at last night’s GoCardless JustGiving Awards. The entire team of judges were incredibly impressed by his dedication to give back to Nottingham Hospitals Charity." 

The GoCardless JustGiving Awards offer a chance for thousands of fundraisers to be in with the chance to have their hard work recognised. To find out more about all eight winners, visit here.