A YOUNGSTER who doctors said might never walk is set to prove them wrong - by walking ten miles to raise funds.

Four-year-old William Goodson, of Messing, was diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome when he was nine-months-old.

Medics warned his family he might never speak because of the condition and may never walk.

William suffers frequent seizures, during which he often stops breathing, and has endured 50 trips in ambulances so far during his short lifetime.

He has also contracted a life-limiting superbug which attacks his respiratory system.

William will also never be able to live independently.

However, despite the numerous setbacks he is facing, his family say he is a happy and determined boy.

And William is walking ten miles in July with support to help his family raise £5,160 through charity Tree of Hope.

The family are currently trying to raise £5,160 for a rubber wet-pour surface from his bedroom to the garden so he doesn’t hurt himself during falls, and to give him more confidence in his movements.

William’s parents Emma, 39 and Andrew, 40, are fundraising to offer him the best quality of life possible.

Emma said: “When he walks on the same surface at the hospice, you can see that he’s more confident and able to move better.

“He’s defied the odds to get to where he is.

“We were told that he might never walk at all. He’s so determined and we don’t want to let anything stand in his way.”

So far William has completed four of his ten mile walk using his walking frame or supported by his parents and a chest harness.

The family has to fundraise constantly for specialised physiotherapy, sensory therapy, speech and occupational therapy.

Tree of Hope helps families to fundraise for children’s operations, therapies and equipment which are unobtainable via the NHS and provides access to a registered charity providing more effective and efficient ways of fundraising.

To donate to William’s appeal visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bemorewilliam-wgoodsongarden.