A six-year-old boy who received a shocking cancer diagnosis this summer has managed to unite an entire community – with more than 20 people shaving their heads to help raise money.
On Saturday (15 October) the group shaved their heads during a fundraising event at Elm Park School to support Stan Weeks.
Among them was his own headmistress, Mrs Bond.
Stan, from Winterbourne, Gloucestershire, appeared to be a healthy, happy boy until mum Jess, 40, spotted a large lump on his leg while on a family holiday to Italy in July with dad Simon, 45 and older brother Harry, 9.
On the recommendation of a surgeon friend, Jess flew home with Stan and took him straight to hospital.
A scan revealed the young boy had an aggressive form of Ewing sarcoma – a rare cancer.
“It was a tsunami of emotion – we were completely side-swiped by it and didn’t know what to do,” Simon told NeedToKnow.online.
Stan started having treatment including an extensive course of chemotherapy and will have radiotherapy and surgery in the near future.
While he undergoes treatment, little Stan isn’t able to lead a normal life and ride his bike or run around the playground with his friends.
While his parents are fortunate enough to be able to buy him items like a dry suit so he can swim without affecting his Hickman line – a tube that pumps medication directly into the bloodstream – and a trailer so he can ride on his dad’s bike with him – they decided to raise money for other families affected by cancer.
Simon said: “The first two sessions of chemo were an eye-opener for me – I realised there was a bigger picture and that there were other people going through a nightmare behind the hospital walls.
“We thought if we can spread awareness and raise money for some children and their families, then great.
“We spoke to Stan when he started losing his hair and he wanted me to shave his head, which I was happy to do.
“My brother volunteered to do his too and it snowballed from there.
“We spoke to his school and the headmistress offered to shave her head too.
“A little girl in Stan’s class also asked if she could have her head, as well as some of my friends from work, my parents and my brother-in-law.
“it’s become a big event and is quite overwhelming. Knowing it’s come from my son; I couldn’t be prouder.
“He’s a real character and once you meet Stan, you’ll never forget him. He never fails to make us laugh.”
In the few days prior to the shave, Stan was in hospital and it wasn’t certain he would be able to be there.
Fortunately, his temperature stabilised.
Simon said: “Because he’d been unwell, he seemed a bit overawed.
“The event was amazing.
“We couldn’t believe the number of people who turned out to offer their support and give not only their time but generously give a huge amount of money.”
The community head shave raised £1,300 in total.
Simon said: “People donated cakes and provided refreshment.
“Everyone cheered and clapped those who had their heads shaved.
“It was unbelievable and we were totally overwhelmed by it all.
“We can never express our gratitude or thanks that our community has shown its care and support; not just for Stan but for his older brother Harry and for us.
“The Fire Service also offered their support by bringing along a fire engine, which proved very popular with the children.
“Also in attendance was the police. And one of the police officers volunteered to have his head shaved.
“Until something like this happens to you, you don’t know what will happen, but the love and support has been incredible.
“It means so much to spread the word and show people that they aren’t alone.”
