Dorset Orthopaedic

At the end of Day 28 of the Olympic Torch Relay the Flame Cauldron was lit in Newcastle by William Hardy

William Hardy, aged 14, was nominated for his determination in overcoming the fact that he lost both his legs and part of his left arm to meningitis to play cricket for Newcastle Wasps Cricket Club.

Will, aged 14, is an inspiration.

When he was just 23 months old he contracted meningitis, resulting multiple amputations. He didn’t let this deter him from swimming and by 2009, he had joined a school swimming club, where he was identified at a disability talent ID day and subsequently joined Gosforth Dolphins.

It was evident that William was a fantastic swimmer and within 3 months he was a National Champion. Will is now in the 2011 British Disability Swimming World Class Talent Programme.

Buoyed by his success in the pool and having watched his brother become more involved in cricket, he set his sights on becoming a junior player at Newcastle Wasps Cricket Club.

Cricket hasn’t come as naturally to Will. Although with regular practice Will can now bat and bowl very effectively.

He is a valued member of the club and well liked and respected. Will regularly plays for this mainstream team, recently captaining the side and successfully playing wearing his blades rather than prosthetic legs, both made by Dorset Orthopaedic. In both sports Will has thrived in a mainstream environment, first school and then in mainstream club environment.

Click here to watch the BBC coverage of Will carry the flame and light the Caldron in Newcastle.