“I would be in a wheelchair if it wasn’t for Sheffield Children’s Hospital,’ says tennis ace

Tennis player George Myers-Millington, 19, has had dreams of one day gracing the professional tennis circuit since he started striking a ball at the age of five.

George, who normally trains full-time in Spain, has a host of accolades already under his belt. But Sheffield-born George’s career was almost over before it began.

At 12 years old, George had just begun entering youth competitions when he started to feel pain and tingling in his lower back and legs.

“It’s difficult to describe, but I didn’t feel normal. My hamstrings had tightened, and the sensation was like having very painful pins and needles,” recalls George.

“On bad days I couldn’t sit, stand or walk properly. It continued for around 18 months and varied in intensity. I hid it because I wanted to keep playing, I was always in pain.”

Dad Howard says: “George was in such a state, but it took a while for us as parents to accept what was happening. I was very sporty too and I’d never had back problems so I just couldn’t relate to what George was describing.” George was taken to Sheffield Children’s Hospital where he was diagnosed with spondylolisthesis.

The condition is where a vertebra slips out of position. Scans also revealed two slipped discs.

Clinicians at the hospital were concerned about operating, given the potential risk of serious complications including damage to the spinal nerves or cord.

However, George’s condition continued to deteriorate over the following weeks and surgery was the only option.

Six three-inch screws were inserted at the base of his spine to correct the issue. Remarkably, George spent just one day in Sheffield Children’s Hospital before being discharged home, but it took six months before he could return to full fitness.

George now has a serve of more than 120mph, has been the reigning Yorkshire doubles champion for the past two years and pursues his dream career training at the Escola Tennis Mataro centre, in Barcelona.

“Without the operation at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, there’s absolutely no way I would be where I am today. I honestly believe I would likely be in a wheelchair, instead I’m able to pursue my dream.”

Dad Howard continues: “When we were talking about who we could support, there was only one choice.”

George carried out a 36-hour challenge for The Children’s Hospital Charity, running 1.75km on the hour, every hour until 6pm the following day.

In the end he ran 63km, the equivalent of one-and-a-half marathons.

He has raised £3,000 so far for charity’s Covid 19 appeal.

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/george-myers1

www.tchc.org.uk or text SHEFFCHILDRENS to 70085 to donate £5. This costs £5 plus your standard message rate.