Youngster who shaved off all of his hair to support pal in cancer battle
A KIND-HEARTED seven-year-old had his head shaved so his classmate, who has cancer, would not be the only boy in school with no hair.
Tommy-Lee Hetherington, from Anstey, was diagnosed with leukaemia last year and after some very difficult times is now in remission.
At the height of his treatment, Tommy-Lee lost his hair, which inspired little Olly Spencer to shed his own blond locks – and the pair have become best friends.
As well as showing his support for his fellow pupil of Woolden Hill Primary School, Anstey, Olly has raised an amazing £1,200 for Macmillan to help other youngsters at Leicester Royal Infirmary .
Olly, also from Anstey, said: “I came home from school and asked my mummy if I could shave my head, so Tommy-Lee wasn’t the only boy in school with no hair.
“Tommy-Lee has become my best friend. We play and work together at school.
“When Tommy-Lee had no hair, it made me feel sad and I didn’t want him to be alone. I wanted to help Tommy-Lee as he has cancer and I wanted the cancer to go away.
“I raised money for the charity that supports him and others by shaving my head, so we could both be bald together.
“We are best friends and always look out for each other in everything we do.”
Tommy-Lee was diagnosed with a severe form of blood cancer in November last year.
Mum Kelly said her son’s diagnosis changed everything for the family.
She said: “Tommy-Lee was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, which was totally unexpected. It devastated our family and turned our lives upside down overnight.
“They told us his treatment will last for three-and-a-half years.
“He started his chemotherapy immediately with an intensive stage of steroids, blood transfusions and lumber punctures.
“But through every stage he has been upbeat and taken everything in his stride, a real brave little solider who doesn’t deserve this cruel illness.”
Since his diagnosis, Tommy-Lee has fought off sepsis and spent time in intensive care with a collapsed lung and an enlarged pancreas.
Kelly said: “It made our hearts stop as it was such a shock and put a lot of strain on the family but he continues to be a very happy, positive little boy and he amazes me every day.”
She said of Olly’s show of support: “It was an awesome thing to do. I’m so very proud of Olly – he’s a smashing little lad.”
Olly’s mum, Sally, said: “TommyLee started school in the new term and Olly went out of his way to ensure he felt welcomed and not alone.
“When Olly made friends with Tommy-Lee, he soon realised something wasn’t right.
“He came to terms with knowing Tommy-Lee was ill, but didn’t know what the illness was.
“After several days he came home from school and said, ‘I want to help people like Tommy-Lee, I don’t want him to be at school alone with no hair, I want to shave my head.’
“This is where the idea of Brave the Shave started. We helped Olly find out about the process and started to promote the sponsored event.
“We are all so proud of Olly, not only for being brave enough at his age to carry out such a daring event but also supporting his friend in a way that only true friends can.”