Weymouth schoolboy cuts hair for cousin with leukaemia

Tommy Rodway, aged 10, and his family have recently had their world turned upside down after his three-year-old cousin Denzel Daley was diagnosed with cancer.

The year five student at Beechcroft St Pauls CE VA Primary School wanted to cut his hair in a school assembly to raise money for sensory equipment to help Denzel who is also non-verbal and suffers from autism.

The hair was also donated to the Little Princess Trust provides free real hair wigs to children and young people, up to 24 years, who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment or other conditions.

Tommy, who has been growing his hair since he was four years old said: “I just thought that now is the perfect time and I’m doing it for Denzel. He’s just amazing and super brave.”

His surprise hairstyle of which was revealed at the end of the assembly was a mullet.

Tommy, his mum Emma and another student at the school (Image: Emma Reed)

He added: “I was excited but nervous, I got a mullet because I have never had anything like it.”

Tommy’s mum Emma Reed was at the assembly supporting her son.

She said: “I’m incredibly proud of Tommy, he’s my little inspiration and he’s so brave at just ten years old.

“This was something to look forward to instead of the terrible times that the family are going through

“The community have been amazing, and they have given Tommy the confidence to go through with it.”

Tommy's auntie cutting his hair (Image: Emma Reed)

Unfortunately, Denzel couldn’t make it to the assembly, but his older brothers and parents were there.

The family have set up a GoFundMe page to help with Denzel’s recovery process and all of the money raised by the fundraiser will be going towards Denzel’s bedroom and sensory equipment, which he loves.

Denzel and Tommy (Image: Emma Reed)

As a way to mark the event, the school also threw a crazy hair day to coincide and raise additional funds and one student even had a bake sale after school on the playground.

Tommy's hair before (Image: Emma Reed)At the time of writing, more than £4,000 has been raised.

If you would like to find out more or donate to the fundraiser, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/two-little-heros?member=32362697&utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer..