Teenager who survived childhood cancer and won medals for Great Britain honoured at police awards

A teenager who was given just days to live as a baby and went on to win a gold medal for Great Britain has been honoured at a prestigious police awards ceremony.

William Swan-Dennis was diagnosed with a rare form of liver cancer (Hepatoblastoma) and was given just three days to live at only 21 weeks old.

The 16-year-old, from Collingham, spent many months in hospital receiving chemotherapy treatment at the Queen’s Medical Centre, which damaged his hearing.

As the chemotherapy was unsuccessful, William was transferred to Birmingham Children’s Hospital for a liver transplant to remove the fast-growing tumour at just 10 months old.

William said: “Over the years, I’ve had to take some time off, go to the hospital, get some checks, and I had to keep making sure I had enough fluids, enough nutrients through my body.

“I had to have a feeder through my nose and keep on top of my medicines to make sure my liver doesn’t back out.”

William has also shown strength in the face of adversity, after his older brother Thomas died of a brain tumour in 2020.

He competed at the British Transplant Games 2025 in Oxford, where he not only won medals but was later selected for the World Transplant Games in Dresden, Germany.

The biannual competition sees athletes from across the globe, who have received organ transplants, compete. William represented Great Britain in Germany, picking up a gold medal in the long jump and two silver medals in darts and ball throw.

William added: “Ever since I was young, I just always thought sports was a fun thing to do.

“I didn’t think too much of it when I first got that invite, but once the dates got closer to going to Dresden, I thought I’ve actually got to throw myself out there, because it’s quite a big thing.

“I’m really, really happy to win the gold medal, but you also look at all the other people who’ve come a long way, come also to compete, and they’ve done brilliantly as well.”

After being nominated by his mum, William has been honoured as a Rising Above Adversity Award finalist, which recognises a young person who, despite their background or upbringing, is an inspiration to others.

The award is part of the Nxt Gen Awards, launched by Nottinghamshire Police in 2021 to highlight the inspiring work of young people across the county.

Mum Angela Swan-Dennis said: “As a baby, you could see the determination and strength that has brought him far in life.

“Through adversity, he has grown stronger and fought back to health to become the best version of himself and is enjoying being alive.

“William has been through so much and is still dealing with so much, but does it with positivity. He truly is remarkable.”