A GROUP of caring teenagers decided drastic action was needed to support a fellow student undergoing treatment for leukaemia.

So the four Year Eleven students from Bedale High School had their heads shaved in solidarity with Thomas Court who is undergoing chemotherapy as part of his treatment for the disease.

To make the whole thing less painful the teenagers decided it had to be worth their while, so have been raising money for the teenage cancer trust – and have already made over £3,000.

They even submitted to the experience in front of hundreds of fellow pupils in the school gym.

Teacher Geoff Chapman, who helped organise the event, said:” We’re just so proud of them. It all came from the students, it was their idea, they wanted to support Tom.

" He is an inspirational young man, he is a brilliant drummer and has performed in front of the whole school, I think he was very surprised when they told him what they were doing.”

The head shave was really all Matthew Prest’s fault. The 16 year-old came up with the original idea – with Kieran Bramley,15, Reuben Donaghy,16 and Josh Perkins,16, deciding they couldn’t let him do it alone.

Matthew said: “Tom was watching us having our heads shaved on Facetime, and with so many people there he could see the support and was really moved. He also thought it was funny because he hadn’t started losing his hair.

"I just decided it was a good way of raising money for the cancer charity and it might make him feel less self concious if his friends were without hair as well. Then when I mentioned it to the others they were keen to join in.”

Staff from Sue’s Barbers in Bedale offered their services free of charge.

Faced with their GCSEs and with the ultimate night to look good – the School Prom, in just a few weeks – the students are now wondering whether to try to grow their flowing locks back or keep the slick shaved look.

Kieran said:” I did prefer having hair. It felt weird having it all shaved off, and it was a bit cold, so I will probably grow it back.”

But Matthew is not so sure, adding:”Life is generally easier without hair, it doesn’t take nearly so long to look after. So I think I will definitely keep it shorter.”

Donations to the cancer trust can be made by contacting the school via bedalehighschool.org.uk and there are plans to set up a just giving page.

The students are also keen to raise awareness of the need for STEM cell donations for cancer treatment through the Anthony Nolan Trust.

Anyone over 16 can donate. Matthew has already done it and says it’s a really simple and straightforward mouth swab which then means your name can be added to the list.