A DORSET schoolboy won a prestigious award for fundraising for a brain tumour charity after recently undergoing surgery for the disease.

Will Alexander, 11, from Gillingham, is The Brain Tumour Charity’s Young Fundraiser of the Year.

The north Dorset youngster picked up his award at a ceremony at the Design Centre in Islington, London called Celebrating You 2023, hosted by comedian Hal Cruttenden. 

Will, who attends Gillingham School, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2020 when he was just nine years old. 

He was shortlisted because of a remarkable fundraising event he completed for The Brain Tumour Charity almost exactly a year ago while he was recovering from brain surgery. 

After a 10-hour initial surgery to remove the tumour, Will spent six weeks on the neuro ward in Southampton and then underwent a course of radiotherapy to his head and spine at University College London Hospital.

Four cycles of high dose chemotherapy treatment on the Piam Brown unit at Southampton Children’s Hospital followed, with the Dorset boy even spending Christmas Day in hospital. 

Following his surgery and treatment, Will developed Posterior Fossa Syndrome, which caused him balance problems and weakness down one side of his body, and took away his ability to walk.

With the aid of physio and hydrotherapy, the 11-year-old has worked hard to learn to walk again. 

Backed by North Dorset Rugby Club, where he played before his diagnosis, he set out to raise as much money as possible by holding a sponsored walk - challenging himself to walk 70 metres, the width of the club’s rugby pitch.  

Walking alongside dad Neil, Will completed his challenge on May 1 last year – raising more than £10,000 for the charity. 

He said: “When I was diagnosed with a brain tumour, my life changed completely overnight.

“I got involved with The Brain Tumour Charity because I want to find a cure. I never want anyone else to feel the way that I have. 

“My most special moment was when I crossed the finish line at my sponsored walk. It felt like fireworks had just gone off inside me and it was the most exciting thing ever.

“I still can’t believe I won the award. Just to be shortlisted means everything to me."

Will now has ambitions to take on a sponsored swim next year for his next charity effort.

Dad Neil added: “To most people, 70 metres isn’t very far. But to Will, it was like climbing Mount Everest.

"[The ceremony] was an emotional and truly inspiring evening which greatly reinforced the importance of how crucial the fundraising and increasing awareness is."

To find out more about The Brain Tumour Charity, visit www.thebraintumourcharity.org