Air Engineers from HMS Sultan and RNAS Culdrose have come together to show their support for a colleague by having their heads shaved for the young people’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent.
Warrant Officer Matt Newman, who works within the Defence College of Technical Training’s Royal Naval Air Engineering and Survival Equipment School, HMS Sultan, decided to undergo the challenge after his 16 year old son Jack was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin Lymphoma.
Jack found out about his condition by chance, after seeking medical advice from his GP for a shoulder injury which had been picked up during a game of 5-a-side football.
The youngster was immediately put under the care of top specialists at the University Hospital Southampton.
This has been a particularly challenging time for not only Jack, but for all of his family. Chemotherapy sessions have meant that Jack has had to drop out of his college studies and has lost some of his hair.
Throughout this time they have been receiving pastoral support through the Divisional Chain, RN/RM Welfare, Chaplaincy and civilian charities including CLIC Sargent, who immediately offered Jack a grant to put toward anything that would assist him during his treatment and subsequent recuperation.
Matt said: “Thanks to an early prognosis Jack’s chances of making a full recovery are very good, but the help we’ve received from charities such as CLIC Sargent has been invaluable.”
“When we found out about Jack’s illness, he was very concerned about losing his hair and I promised him that if he was going to lose it then I would too. It’s great to have the support of those who work around me.”
“Around 11 young people in the UK are diagnosed with cancer every day and I’d like all of them and their families to be able to receive the level of support that we have.”
CLIC Sargent Fundraising Engagement Manager Liz Blunt said: “We are so grateful to everyone from HMS Sultan and RNAS Culdrose for taking part in a head shave for CLIC Sargent.”
“It has been such a pleasure to meet Matt and his family and I am so impressed with their fantastic, enthusiastic fundraising.”
“In 2016/17, CLIC Sargent supported 7,200 young cancer patients and their families.
“It’s thanks to supporters like Matt that we can do the work we do to fight tirelessly for children and young people with cancer, as we don’t receive any government funding.”
If you would like to make a donation towards Matt's fundraising challenge please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jacknewmanfund
