Paralympian Richard Whitehead MBE visits new Mobility Centre Children’s Annexe

Paralympic gold medallist, marathon runner and diversity and inclusion champion Richard Whitehead MBE has joined Nottingham Hospitals Charity in visiting patients at a new facility for young people with limb loss and wheelchair requirements.

Richard, who is taking on 20 marathons around the world throughout 2025, took time out of his busy schedule to meet young patients and staff at the new Mobility Centre Children’s Annexe, which is part of the NUH Mobility Centre at the City Hospital site.

The purpose-built and accessible new facility will treat patients from birth through to 18 years old who need prosthetic limbs and bespoke wheelchairs, as well as specialised assessment and therapy services.

It includes a number of clinical and assessment rooms, a room with child-friendly gym equipment, and a specially created outdoor training area, featuring cobbles, uneven ground, tarmac, concrete and sand, which gives patients the opportunity to test their new equipment over different surfaces. 

During his visit, Richard, who was born and raised in Nottingham, distributed activities, toys, and games donated to Nottingham Hospitals Charity, to help ease the anxiety of young patients waiting for appointments. He also met with young fundraiser and Mobility Centre patient William Reckless, who Richard has also supported personally through the Richard Whitehead Foundation.

Eight-year-old William, who lost both legs and nine fingers to sepsis at the age of three, raised over £7,000 for Nottingham Hospitals Charity to thank staff at the hospital for their care.

Four years on from his surgery, William took on a fundraising challenge, walking two miles using his prosthetic legs, and cycling a further two miles on his hand cycle. This was a huge challenge for William, who had never walked such a long distance using his prosthetic legs.

Talking about William’s treatment at the new facility, mum Gemma Reckless said: “When we first came to the Mobility Centre, William was very unsteady as you can imagine. He slowly had to build his strength up to be able to balance, whilst he adjusted to his new way of walking. He was also very shy and obviously traumatised by what had happened to him, so for a long time he wouldn’t speak to any of the centre’s staff.

“Now, you can’t stop him! The staff have been absolutely fantastic and have supported William throughout his journey. He’s really chatty when he attends the centre and he’s soon going to be fitted with processor knees, which means the prosthetic legs will be able to bend when he sits down, rather than being straight out in front of him. 

“It’s another milestone reached, and I couldn’t be prouder of the way he has - and is - coping with his disability. We’re really looking forward to using this new facility which has been designed specifically for children and young adults.”          

Richard said: "It was fantastic to visit the new Mobility Centre Children’s Annexe, a unique facility at Nottingham City Hospital, designed for children and young people who use prosthetics and bespoke wheelchairs. It's so important that young people have a safe space for them and their families to come to, and help to provide children and young people with mobility difficulties a better foundation in life. 

“It was extra special to look around the centre with William and his family, who is just starting his journey of using his prosthetics to walk, move and be involved in sport, and to enable him to be more physically and mentally active."

Sam Cousens, Director of Fundraising and Communications at Nottingham Hospitals Charity, said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Richard Whitehead MBE to visit patients and staff at the new Mobility Centre Children’s Annexe. This facility will make a real difference to children and young people with limb loss and those using wheelchairs, and it’s fantastic to have the seal of approval from such a well-respected advocate for accessibility and inclusion.

“At Nottingham Hospitals Charity we are committed to supporting patients and families across Nottingham’s hospitals by providing the added extras that will have a positive impact on them during their time here. It’s thanks to our donors and fundraisers like the amazing young William Reckless that we are able to continue to do this.”