A brave teenager had his head shaved by actor Lee Boardman to raise money for a cancer care charity in memory of his dad.
Harry Elmore, from Reddish in Stockport, decided to shave off his blonde locks using clippers that belonged to his dad, John, who passed away with esophageal cancer in 2010, aged 43, when Harry was just 11-years-old.
The now 16-year-old preforming arts student, went to Beechwood Cancer Care Centre with his mum Sarah South and brother Jake, 20, to shave his head and asked his acting mentor Lee Boardman – best known for his roles in Coronation Street and Beowulf – to do it for him as they have both lost loved ones to cancer.
Harry has attended Lee’s drama school, Actor Tribe, in Knutsford that he run with his wife and fellow actor Jennifer James for three years and wanted them to support him in his fundraising effort as they are both Beechwood patrons.
Harry said: “My dad passing away had such a massive effect on me. I was so young that I didn’t really understand cancer properly. I had just left primary school and it was a massive shock. It was really hard times.
“But Beechwood was a big support, I realised it was good to talk about what had happened and it was good to know you are not alone in what you are going through.
“Mum met Lee at a Beechwood event and I attended his drama school from there. I love it and it has really helped to build my confidence and helped with speaking to other people about my dad.
“It also helps that Lee knows what I am going through, having lost family members to cancer himself.”
Harry’s dad was diagnosed with cancer in October 2010 and passed away very quickly the next month in November on the day he was meant to start his first chemotherapy session.
Harry added: “My dad was amazing, he was always there when we needed him. I have memories of him sometimes taking us to work with him and playing basketball with him.
“I love hearing my family are proud of me but wish I could hear it from my dad. It is hard coming back to Beechwood, but my mum, brother and me have all supported each other since dad died.
“My mum has been amazing, she has been so strong and I am really proud of her. It must have been really hard raising us two boys on her own after losing dad so shaving my head is nothing really.”
So far Harry has raised approximately £1,000 and is hoping for this to rise.
Actor Lee, who is also from Stockport, has lost two sisters and his dad to cancer.
He said: “I think Harry has been very brave shaving all his hair off and letting me do it! I was happy to be a part of it and using his dad’s clippers was an honour.
“Beechwood helped my family and his, so we instantly had that connection and it has been great to see him come out of his shell and grown in confidence in the years I have known him.”
