Courage to the end

INSPIRATIONAL . . . Alex shortly after being chosen as a Meningitis Trust Young Ambassador

AN “inspirational” teenager who used his disability to help thousands of others died yesterday at just 18.

Lifelong Latics fan Alex Williams, who was also a member of the Oldham Owls wheelchair basketball team, suffered two strokes. He died on Wednesday afternoon with his family by his side.

The brave youngster, who was struck down by meningitis at the age of seven and spent more than a month in a coma on life support, was left with memory loss, deafness and unable to walk.

But Alex refused to let his disability be a barrier and replaced football with wheelchair basketball at the Hollinwood club.

He also coached a disabled dance class, raised awareness of meningitis, gave talks in school assemblies, put on fund-raising events, held collections and spoke at conferences about his experience.

Alex won awards for his efforts, including a Radio One Teen Award, and was chosen to be a Young Ambassador for the Meningitis Trust. He had also been shortlisted for Third Sector magazine’s prestigious Volunteer of the Year award.

Sue Davie, chief executive at the trust, said: “Alex has been an inspiration to everyone at the trust over many years.

“He was a constant reminder of why we do what we do, and why it is so important.








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