Braintree boy raises funds for Sheffield's Children Hospital

Zachary Guilder, aged nine, arranged a charity fundraiser for Sheffield’s Children Hospital as a way of giving back to the hospital that provided him with life-changing treatment.

His efforts have been praised by gold medalist Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill.

Zachary has experienced health issues since an early age and has grown up with chronic pain and stiff joints.

After being referred to the hospital’s consultant orthopaedic surgeon, Nick Nicolaou, at the age of six, it turned out that Zachary was born without an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). 

Inspired - Zachary wrote a letter to his headteacher and arranged a yellow-themed non-uniform day as a way of raising money for the hospital (Image: PR)

This meant that his thigh bone did not connect to his shin bone in his left knee, making it a painful experience where he would tear the meniscus cartilage in the area.

Thanks to Dr Nicolaou’s expertise, Zachary was able to undergo treatment where a new ACL was created from his thigh.

Throughout the procedure, not only was Zachary given a new lease of life with his ACL, the team at the hospital were able to repair his lateral meniscus.

Although he had to go back to Sheffield for further surgery to remove scar tissue that was preventing his knee from healing, Zachary was thrilled about the treatment. 

He was inspired to start a charity fundraiser for the hospital after seeing another young boy on television raising money for charity.

To start the fundraising, Zachary penned a letter to his primary school’s headteacher and arranged for a yellow-themed non-uniform day to take place after the hospital’s mascot, Theo the bear.

New lease of life - Thanks to his treatment and care at the hospital, Zachary now has a better quality of life (Image: PR)

Speaking about the consultant who helped him and why he wants to raise more funds, Zachary explained it’s because the hospital is an “amazing” place.

He said: “Mr Nicolaou is my favourite doctor because he is kind, clever and funny. 

“I always think that he is like the superhero Thor with his big hammer.

“I want to raise money for all the children, doctors, nurses, physios and helpers that work at this amazing hospital." 

He added: “One day I would like to do a sponsored walk or even a marathon but a sponsored fun day at school is the best start."

Thanks to the success of Zachary’s treatment and care, he is now able to play football with friends. He will continue having annual follow-up appointments with the hospital to ensure all is well.