William's interests

Football

William had many interests and football was the top priority. Not just playing whenever he got the chance, but watching football on TV (especially Chelsea), supporting his local team Dover Athletic, or else playing computer or Playstation games. William probably knew more about the English Premiership than a lot of adults. His collection of football cards and stickers go back a very long way! William was also very proud of his MicroStars (small football figures) collection, and was well on the way to 200.

WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment/American wrestling)

William had a collection of wrestling figures that fill up four boxes to overflowing, one containing Smackdown figures, one of Raw figures, another of ECW (which I believe is extreme wrestling) and the last being a box of retired figures (many of whom seemed to come out of retirement quite frequently!). William would quite happily spend time with his wrestling figures and wrestling rings/sets winning various belts. He did of course watch the wrestling on television (unless it was particularly gruesome or violent). He would, given the chance, wrestle with his friends until I would pull them apart fearing that someone might get hurt! During his illness he saved up his pocket money to purchase a replica John Cena medal and chain. A prized possession!

Collections

William had many collections, not just WWE figures or MicroStars footballers but Top Trumps (approximately 50), playstation games (more than 70), computer games (60+), football shirts (approximately 14) and also, when he was younger, Power Rangers and Action Man. He decided one day to sell his collection of Action Men/vehicles/buildings at a boot fair and made a fair amount of money. This of course, probably went towards another collection! William was lucky to receive pocket money, not just from his mum but from other members of the family as well; therefore he was able to purchase most things himself.

Playstation

William loved to play games on his play station, mainly football or wrestling. It was even better if his friends visited to play as well. If not, his mum or one of his uncles would join in but this was particularly downhearting as we could never beat him. There are only so many times you can put up with losing. The competition between William and his uncles was incredible. They were not going to give him a chance because he was younger but in reality they didn’t need to, it should have been the other way round!

Holidays

William enjoyed going on holiday. When he was very young it was with his Grandma and mum. On one particular occasion William’s Grandma was pushing him around a shop in his pushchair. After leaving the shop and continuing on our journey we suddenly realised that William was holding a shopping bag which just moments earlier had been hanging up in the shop! A hasty retreat and an apology were needed. Still, William was only 18 months old and too young to understand the concept of stealing!

When William was 5 years old he met the real Father Christmas in Lapland. It was a very long day but full of excitement. Playing in the deep snow was great fun. Riding on a skidoo was thrilling and being pulled along on a sleigh by reindeer was a terrific experience. Possibly the highlight was being led into the Father Christmas Grotto by an elf. Meeting the man himself and receiving a present from him was awesome for William.

As William got older he wanted to go on holiday with his friends. William went to Butlins and other family holiday's centres, many times with different friends. He went to Eurodisney three times with friends or family. In fact, in September, William was due to go to Eurodisney with a friend as part of the ‘Black Cab's’ annual trip funded by the Variety Club. Sadly, his blood count was too low and he was unable to go. A recent holiday was in Norfolk, staying in a cottage in the same village as his uncle and aunt’s cottage. During this holiday he was able to go bowling, visit Cromer and spend a day on the Norfolk Broads, at one stage even helping to steering the boat. This was to be his last holiday but one that all involved will always remember.