Just William: a very special boy

Invisible illness promoter William Cuthill is honoured with a national award for his work as Teapot Trust Ambassador

Perth boy William Cuthill, aged 13, who has raised over £5,000 for the Teapot Trust SCIO, has been named ‘Inspirational Young Person 12 – 14 Years’ in the renowned GSK WellChild Awards 2021.

Yesterday, William attended a star-studded private party at London’s Kew Gardens, organised by WellChild and met the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry.

Teapot Trust SCIO founder and trustee Dr Laura N Young nominated William Cuthill for the award because she has been amazed by the dedication William has had to the charity, when he’s juggled schoolwork, his health-condition and time in hospital for medication and appointments.

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Dr Laura N Young MBE with 13-year-old William Cuthill outside the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People Edinburgh

William, who has juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), is one of many children who might look fine on the outside, but internally their body is having a struggle to function normally without constant medication.

This condition causes William to have very painful joints, like rheumatoid arthritis in adults with low mobility and energy. He must see many consultants, two of whom also nominated him for his award, since they see how, despite the number of times he is in pain and to and from hospital, he is always positive and looking for ways to promote the art therapy offered by Teapot Trust SCIO.

Founder of the charity, which supplies art therapy to children with long-term health conditions Dr Laura N Young MBE, said, “The efforts and lengths to which William has gone for us are exceptional for any young person and would be worthy of honouring.

“However, he has done this work whilst struggling with his own health condition with days not feeling great, such as low energy and pain.

“William soldiers on, thinking of everyone else but himself. He is a very special boy who would be astounded to properly understand how much his help has been appreciated.

“He is one of those few people who gives without question. The knowledge of the appreciation of his efforts will no doubt spur him on, but will, we hope, also make others aware not only of what he endures but also what he contributes despite this.”

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William Cuthill artwork

So far, William has raised more than £5,000 for the charity, which considering the dire consequences of Covid-19 on the charity sector, has been quite amazing. The charity would like to thank members of the community who have sponsored William and purchased his artwork.

Over the last three years, Teapot Trust had the privilege of William appearing at events; he has added to a lovely atmosphere by piping guests in; then, impressing potential donors by speaking, talking about how he used his art therapy time and the value it has been to him.

Most children of his age would shun such an environment and the mere idea of ‘public speaking’. Unbeknown to William it is an immeasurable task to get people on side and aid their understanding of what it is like for a child to live with a health condition.

Teapot Trust commended him for being able to do this and for his honesty at how his life is impacted; not many people can do this, let alone a young person. His ability to connect and empathise with other children with chronic conditions is remarkable.

As a Junior Ambassador he has also attended time-consuming Board Meetings, not simply as an observer for 10 minutes, but sitting through the whole session and contributing valuable points from a service user’s point of view.

His mother has taken time to help him read and understand papers which would normally be well outside the norm for a child of his age.

William also gifted his school Science Project to Teapot Trust.

William’s work cleverly refers to ‘a child’ with JIA, rather than to himself, to protect himself amongst his peers. The life-sized model knee he created showcases a Baker Cyst alongside his inspiring text, raising the profile of an invisible disease and the challenges children are faced with on this journey.

William has talked about this model which has given the Teapot Trust staff and a wider audience beyond this, a much greater understanding of what can go wrong in a joint. He has also bravely revealed how isolating and lonely it can feel to suffer in silence.

William was picked from hundreds of nominations from across the UK to win the category of Inspirational Young Person in the WellChild Awards which celebrate the resilience of children living with serious illnesses or complex conditions.