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Pupils' gift cheers up young cancer battler

Luke Haddon, 12. Luke Haddon, of The Broadway, Minster, is undergoing treatment for Hodgkin's Lymphoma.
Luke Haddon, 12. Luke Haddon, of The Broadway, Minster, is undergoing treatment for Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

A smile has been put on the face of a young cancer victim.

Luke Haddon has undergone gruelling sessions of chemotherapy since he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in February.

And last week, he began a four-week course of intensive radiotherapy at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London.

It was after hearing about his battle against the disease that Fulston Manor School’s young co-operative group members decided to donate the money they had raised from making floppy bunnies out of recycled materials, and selling them as part of an ethical business challenge.

As a result, they presented their 12-year-old schoolmate with £170 worth of Bluewater vouchers so he can have fun days out when he is feeling well enough.

Luke, of The Broadway, Minster, said: "I’m very grateful they did that for me; it was very kind.

"I took my two friends to see Green Lantern at the cinema, we had a lovely time. I’m hoping to go again for a meal and perhaps a movie with my family soon."

Mum Sarah, 38, who has two other children, Bethany, 16, and Phoebe, five, said: "This has really cheered him up. He’s been through a terrible time.

"When he was first diagnosed I was distraught.

"He was only 11 years old but you just have to get on and deal with it. It’s not hereditary, he was just one of the unlucky ones, it’s as simple as that.

"He’s had time off school, although he’s managed to keep in all the top sets as he’s had a home tutor a couple of times a week.

"Luke’s dealt with it very well and he’s been very positive.

"He’s never cried, or said ‘Why me?’ He just wants to get better."

Sarah Palmer, the school’s community cohesion manager, said: "Luke is a real fighter.

"If we can just make one day easier for Luke and his family then it will have been worthwhile."

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