Student's China trek in aid of children's hospital

A man given a "second chance at life" by a children's hospital after being hit by a car as a teenager will take part in a fundraising trek along the Great Wall of China to "say thank you".

Will Blisset was 14 years old when he was involved in a serious accident in Andreas on the Isle of Man in 2018, leaving him with fractures to his face and head.

The now 21-year-old was airlifted to Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool where he received treatment and support for four months.

He said the staff at the hospital "saved me", so "every step I take will be for the young people who still need their exceptional care".

Mr Blisset said it had been a "very serious accident" which had thrown his life "into a tailspin", leaving him having to learn to walk again.

He said the care he received "wasn't just the surgeries and treatment that I needed" but also included support and "encouragement to recover".

The Edge Hill student said although he was "fully mobile again" and had "all cognitive function", he still faced "some challenges" including his memory not being his "strongest point anymore".

"But I'm lucky to be to tell the story, so I'm OK living with some challenges," he said.

The psychology student said he spotted a poster advertising the trek along the Great Wall of China to raise money for it's charity while on a placement at the hospital as part of his degree.

The challenge will see the 21-year-old and other trekkers battle difficult terrain during the 21-mile (35km) walk over six days in September.

Praising the support he received, he said the English language "doesn't have enough words to praise the doctors and how good the care was".

He said the fundraiser was "the chance of a lifetime" to "say thank you" by aiming to raise £5000 for the hospital.

During his own treatment he had "witnessed first hand how many children are treated every day," he said.

"They deserve every penny I can raise, I'm eternally indebted to them," he added.

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