IT was a stay in hospital that led young William Torley to the delights of Willy Wonka.
The seven-year-old, suffering from a serious form of eczema, loved watching the film Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, based on the book by Roald Dahl,. as he was treated at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.
But now his dream has come true: William has been let loose in a sweet factory!
And he was joined by his family from Brockholes in a trip to Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls factory in Wigan.
The trip was arranged by the charity Rays of Sunshine, which makes dreams come true for seriously children.
William has suffered from severe atopic eczema since birth, but it has worsened since the age of three, and he had to spend three weeks in hospital last year.
He also has allergies linked to the eczema and has to have a careful diet. But sweets are on the menu and William, a pupil at Brockholes CE J & I School, was able to stock up on supplies when he visited the plant where they have been making sweets for more than a century.
William was joined by his mum Jacqueline, dad John, sister Elizabeth, nine, and brother Nicholas, four.
Mrs Torley said: “It is a condition that flares up badly from time to time, and it can be really bad.
“He is under a consultant at Sheffield and had to have two spells in hospital last summer. That’s when he loved watching the Wonka film with Johnny Depp and when one of the nurses mentioned the charity, she suggested we go for it.
“The eczema means William often has to have his joints, especially his feet and legs, bandaged up. Although he loves being out and about on is bike, it can be very difficult.
“He gets infections in the wounds of the eczema and has been on antibiotics for the past 18 months.
