Bridgnorth fundraisers step up to support Team Will

In the next event for Team Will, which is supporting three-year-old William Seymour who suffers from a rare type of epilepsy, former Royal Navy man John Adams will attempt 1,500 military sit-ups without stopping.

He will be joined in his fundraising efforts by Bridgnorth personal trainer Lisa Beards, who, with her new health class Fit Farm, will aim to walk 52 miles carrying showjumping poles.

John, 34, who works for Perry & Phillips Funeral Directors in Underhill Street, will have to beat his previous record of 1,001 sit-ups he set during his eight-year stint serving in the navy.

A target of £7,500 has been set to help William's parents Chris and Susie, who work in the emergency services, adapt their Worfield home to include a specialised downstairs bedroom and bathing facility.

This will help William, who suffers with a rare form of epilepsy known as west syndrome.

"We're able to help somebody and change someone's life in a positive way, so we've got to step up and help," John said.

"It's about the community pulling together and getting behind people that need our support.

"Will's a special little boy, he's such a special lad – let's get behind them and do some good."

John will take on the challenge at 10.30am on Saturday at The Bridgnorth Health & Fitness Club.

Lisa, 53, will also be taking on her challenge on Saturday.

She said: "When I saw what John was doing, I thought we could do something as a Fit Farm group, so on Saturday we're walking 52 miles around a canter track, which is a circuit made with two hills you train horses on to get fit.

"Hearing about Team Will, they're very much a local family in need and Bridgnorth as a whole is very good at rallying the troops and getting together when we see someone in the area in need.

"It's great to be able to help John, who I know has done a fabulous job with Team Will so far, and help Will's family make vital changes to their home.

"We just wanted to use our camaraderie in class to a different benefit, not just to our own health, but to help this wonderful little boy."

William's father Chris, who works as a police officer in Wolverhampton, said: "Part of Will's condition, dystonia, means he suffers with uncontrollable muscle contractions and one thing we found he really likes is his bath.

"Now he's getting bigger and heavier we can't carry him up and down the stairs anymore, so soon we'll have to have adaptations done to the home to build a downstairs bedroom and bathroom.

"Unfortunately you can't get funding for this. It will cost about £15,000 due to it being specialist equipment.

"A big thank you must go to everybody who's supported us – we've been blown away.

"As well as friends and family, people we don't even know and people anonymously have donated to the cause and we've been overwhelmed with their generosity."

To support Team Will, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/john-adams-4