A GROUP of teenage football players have rallied around one of their teammates who has been diagnosed with cancer for the second time by shaving their heads to help him through his treatment.
Owen Jenkinson was just 13 when he was first diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma - a bone cancer which mainly affects younger people - just days after helping his AFC Pogmoor team to promotion.
Incredibly, Owen returned to the football field less than a year later following months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy - much to the delight of his friends at the club.
However, last month Owen was told that his cancer had returned but his fellow footballing teens didn’t want him to go through treatment on his own.
Several of his under-16 teammates decided to shave their heads this week for charity - and they’ve raised more than £3,500 for Owen, who is now 15.
The club’s manager 44-year-old Phil McNulty told the Chronicle he couldn’t be more proud of his players.
“Owen’s such a huge character,” he said.
‘He’s everybody’s mate and a real joker - he’s just an incredible person, so determined.
“It’s been really hard for the boys - they’re all just 15 or 16.
“But they didn’t want him to go through the ordeal on his own.
“My son Liam is the captain and he co-ordinated the shave - all of the boys are so amazing, it’s remarkable.”
An initial fundraising target was set for £250 but the group have already managed to raise more than £3,500.
“We never thought that we’d be able to raise this much money,” he added.
“Everyone has rallied together and we’re so pleased that Owen is going to be able to treat himself.
“I feel so privileged that I’m able to be their coach.”
To donate to the fundraiser click here.
