CHEERED on by his family and friends brave four-year-old William de Croos yesterday proved you’re never too young to be a sporting superstar when he completed a two-day triathlon challenge.

The youngster raised more than £1,000 for the Special Care Baby Unit, at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, which saved his life when he was born with blood condition hypoglycemia.

Born two weeks premature, William was placed in an incubator for two weeks and needed round-the-clock care.

On Saturday, William swam 40 metres at The Park Club in Milton, near Didcot, and then cycled a mile in the grounds of Blenheim Palace.

After a good night’s rest he ran 800 metres at the Sir Roger Bannister Running Track in Iffley Road, Oxford.

Oxford Mail:

William de Croos on the run.

The mini-triathalon was organised by mum Rebecca, whose other son Henry, three, joined his brother for part of his run yesterday.

The 34-year-old, from Didcot, said: “It has been better than I could have expected, the swim on Saturday was great.

“William’s swimming teacher gave his time for free and everyone has been really supportive.

“We wanted to do something to say thank you to the ward which helped William when he was born.”

After completing his run yesterday William said: “It was really, really fun. The running was my favourite.

“I think I’m going to do more cycling and swimming from now on, and maybe another long run.”

Oxford Mail:

William de Croos after completing the cycle section.

He was also raising funds for armed forces mental health charity Combat Stress, inspired by his aunt Staff Sergeant Heidi Sutton, who has just returned from a tour of Afghanistan with the Army.

William, who is set to start at Ladygrove Park Primary School in September, swam without armbands or floats and cycled with stabilisers on Saturday.

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