1:33pm Tuesday 9th February 2010
By Chris Hewett
A group of Chorleywood sixth form students have shaved their heads for charity in support of their friend recently diagnosed with leukaemia.
Ben Wilson, 17, invited six of his friends from St Clement Danes School to shave his head before undergoing chemotherapy.
But Paul Mrozek, Jack Wales, Jon Tucker, Stuart Duffy, Keiran Peel and Jamie Tyacke went one step further, raising more than £600 in the process.
Ben had gone to the doctors with what he thought was a chest infection but, after tests at Watford General Hospital, he was diagnosed with leukaemia four weeks ago.
He said: “Going from a chest infection to being diagnosed was unbelievably shocking.
“Once we got medical consultation we knew that it was going to be a difficult experience but one that was definitely possible to get through.”
Losing his hair during the chemotherapy was not something Ben wanted so, on the advice of the nurses, he decided to shave it off.
Ben added: “I wanted to lose my hair on my own terms, and the other lads told me they wanted to shave their heads too.
“I feel completely supported by them, everything they've done has felt like part of my treatment, it's meant so much.”
The money was raised through collections at the school and the lads were delighted with the response from their classmates.
Jack, 17, said: “Everyone was really nice about it and very generous.
“Everyone loves Ben, he's such a nice guy, and they were really keen to give money.”
Ben wants to split the money between Cancer Research UK and the cancer trusts at University College London Hospital where he has been receiving care.
Jon, 17, said: “For me it was a no-brainer as soon as someone said about it.
“It takes the wind out of you when you hear about something like that so it was nice to do something which he says has helped make him feel better.”
The lads are hoping to raise more money for the cause in the future as their hair starts to grow back.
Stuart, 18, said: “It's growing back pretty quickly but it's nice because I don't have to do it in the morning so I get a few extra minutes in bed.
“It's been really good. It's nice to show we are all thinking of Ben.”
Ben says he wants to get back to school when he can as he will be receiving treatment for the next three years and doesn't want his education suffering too much.
He said: “I'm keen to get back as I don't want to bore myself silly at home or in a hospital ward.
“Even though they treat you really well at the wards I want to get back to being around my friends.”
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk