‘He coped – and looked after us as he went through it all’

WILLIAM’S mum Alison Gorrie has nominated him for a Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People Star Awards. Here she explains why:

William was a person who would be squeamish about getting his blood pressure taken because he didn’t like the idea of being able to feel his pulse.

From that to having blood tests six times a day and having to put up with all the needles is really something. But he said to me, I have to do this.

It was like he grew up overnight.

His head teacher, who brought me flowers after William was diagnosed, stood on our doorstep and said William went in that hospital as a boy and overnight came out as a man.

He began this journey as a 17-year-old boy and is now a confident and amazing young man.

Dropping him off at the hospital for his chemo and watching him walk in alone was so hard.

The times when he had to go in for three nights at a time and would sometimes be too sick to phone were really upsetting.

The nurses would phone and tell us William was OK or he would text. But not being at his side was difficult.

We’ve always been close and talked about everything, but this has brought us closer.

There were times when he was at home and recovering and he’d fall asleep with his head on my knee.

My boy is a star – cancer just proved it.

William’s cancer nurse Gordon has been a great support. He told me about the Cancer Research UK for Children and Young People Star Awards.

I really wanted to nominate William for his courage, for the way he coped with his diagnosis on his own and during Covid – and how he looked after us when he was going through it.

The fact he didn’t want me to be by myself when he told me he had cancer showed real maturity.

Despite treatment, he still managed to achieve five unconditional university offers. He has astounded everyone.

He is without a doubt the bravest person I know, and I have the honour of saying he is my son.

William at home with mum Alison.