CALEN LEAPS TO HELP ‘NURSE LINNY’
CALEN Tang has only officially ever had one birthday so is planning to make today’s ‘second’ birthday extra special.
The Somerset College pupil is a leap year baby, born on February 29, and has decided to celebrate turning 8 today for someone who matters to him, his school nurse Linny Clayton.
Instead of birthday presents Calen has asked friends and family who are coming to his party today to donate money to help “nurse Linny” in her battle with a brain tumour.
He has already raised more than $9000.
Ms Clayton, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour in October, has seen it return, despite an operation in December.
She went under the knife on Thursday to remove the marble sized growth for a second time, and is recovering in hospital.
The funds will go towards radiotherapy treatment, transport and care and supplementing her income.
Speaking to the Bulletin before her operation Ms Clayton said she felt a lot of love from Calen’s family, including his mother Queenie and the extended Somerset community.
“I have so much love and support around me, my friends and family and school community,” she said.
“Calen was in my daughter’s Prep in 2017 and we have always just been in contact with their family. He is very generous.”
Calen said he was so excited to raise money for his friend, he kicked off the campaign by donating his tooth fairy cash.
As part of the party theme he will also decorate his cake with a picture of Ms Clayton’s brain scan.
“I wanted to raise money for her because she is such an exceptional woman,” Calen said.