The McAuley Old Boys are doing The Three Peaks for Will

We are a group of guys who left The McAuley School in 1997 and have remained the best of friends ever since. We are getting together on 23rd May 2025 to take on the challenge of ‘The Yorkshire Three Peaks’ to raise funds following a tragic accident involving one of the groups son’s, Will Hanley.

On 2nd July 2024, Will was 9 years old at the time, and on his way to Copley Junior School in Sprotbrough, like he'd done lots of times over the years. Tragically, Will was hit by a car whilst crossing the road.

Will's life as a funny, very active young boy unfortunately changed forever as he suffered life changing traumatic brain injuries. He was taken into the Critical Care of the ICU Team at Sheffield Children's Hospital (SCH) where they performed miracles to keep him alive due to the extent of the injuries caused by the impact.

Will remained in a critical condition but due to the amazing care from the hospital and Will’s determination, he left ICU a few months afterwards. Will was then moved into the care of the staff on Unit 5, which is the Neuro Rehab Unit in SCH, where they took care of him like he was their own, and he gained an extended family. The tireless and thankless work everyone did for Will up to mid-January 2025 culminated in him thankfully being accepted into the one of the leading Neuro Rehab facilities in the UK, The Children's Trust in Tadworth, Surrey.

Will’s progress from those days after the accident through the dedication of the professionals caring for him, as well as his stubbornness not to lose, have meant that unbelievable progress has been made.

Each day, Owen, Nikki and Will’s big brother Fynn see more hope that they will get to see as much of the little boy they once had again through the help of everybody around them.

All the money that's been raised through the sheer generosity which has been shown through various fundraising events so far is going to go towards the equipment that Will needs to continue his rehabilitation once he comes home. As the cost of helping Will and his recovery when he comes home is ongoing, we have arranged this challenge to give Will and the family every chance to provide the continued care that Will needs.

Although some funding is provided, there is equipment that requires self-funding, with one piece in particular costing around £7,000.

As a family you would never want to have this be a situation that anyone has to deal with, unfortunately things happen in life that you can't control but having family, friends and even people that didn't know Will support in all the ways they have so far has meant that Will is being given the best chance possible to overcome these lifelong challenges ahead.

Words can't express enough the gratitude and humbleness that is felt by Will’s family for any donation made.

'The McAuley Old Boys' would also like to thank you for ever single penny that this challenge will raise. It will make a big difference to Will coming home to and being together as a four again.

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