When William Gooch hurt himself playing football, it was a firefighter who came to his rescue.
The 11-year-old was with friends when he suffered a slipped capital femoral epiphysis, which is where the top of the femur slips off the neck of the bone in a backward direction.
Hartley Wintney crew manager, Steve Bartlett was first on the scene in the fire station’s co-responder car, assessing the injury, preventing further movement and administering pain relief, reassuring William’s parents at the same time before paramedics arrived.
And as a show of thanks, William has set himself a massive cycling challenge fundraising for The Fire Fighters Charity.
Sarah Gooch, William’s mum said:
“Without Steve, William would have been in much more pain and I think we would have panicked. It was because of Steve that we stayed calm.
“Thank you doesn’t seem enough, so with this in mind and to show our appreciation, William will be using his love of cycling to fundraise for The Fire Fighters Charity.”
Following time in both Basingstoke and Southampton hospitals, where he had major surgery on both his hip and femur, William had to use a wheelchair to get around, before he was able to use crutches.
After a spell of extensive hydrotherapy and physiotherapy William was strong enough to get back on to his beloved bike in early December.
A month later, William cycled down to the fire station with his parents and younger sister, for a reunion with Steve, where they were given a tour and shown around the fire engine, Land Rover, and of course the co-responder car.
Crew Manager Steve Bartlett said:
“I was on-duty, responded to the call and was able use my emergency medical care skills to treat William straight away, before passing him into the capable hands of our paramedic colleagues.
“It’s been a long recovery for William but his determination to get back to full fitness and onto his bike is evident and something he and his family should be proud of.
“It’s wonderful that William wants to give something back and help The Fire Fighters Charity who do so much for us. We’re looking forward to supporting and following William through his challenge.”
He decided to set himself a cycling challenge, to complete a 100-mile event, visiting as many Hampshire and Isle of Wight fire stations during his training rides, whilst fundraising for The Fire Fighter’s Charity on the way.
William said:
“I’m aiming to ride the Hampshire Hilly 100m sportive in May, in the meantime I’ll be using my training rides to get fit again and visit as many of the Hampshire and Isle Of Wight fire stations as possible, there are about 60 operational fire stations, so plenty to keep me busy!”
William is planning to warm up for his challenge with a trip to the Isle of Wight during the Easter holidays, where he will be cycling to all the Island’s fire stations.
You can follow William’s progress and show your support here – https://gofund.me/b76c1534.
