Friends baldly go to support Telford cancer patient pal Jack

Jack, 20, was diagnosed with testicular cancer in December and lost his hair as a result of chemotherapy.

Keen to show their pal their support, a group of Jack's friends decided to have their heads shaved as well.

Eight of them went under the barber's clippers at Asda in Donnington Wood on Saturday, raising thousands of pounds for charity in the process.

Jack, of Stirchley, Telford, said he was overwhelmed by the support.

He said: "My mate Phil said as soon as I started losing my hair he'd go bald as well.

"It means a lot to me, I'm a bit overwhelmed really. It's nice to have so much support."

The mass shave raised about £2,500 for the Teenage Cancer Trust, which funds the specialist unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, where Jack is receiving treatment.

Jack said: "The trust is not funded by the NHS. It's like a hotel. I can't fault how it works, but it won't stay open unless people raise money."

One of the group having their locks chopped was Phil Luscott.

The 21-year-old, who became friends with Jack at Abraham Darby Academy, said: "I just wanted to support my mate. I was just going to do it myself but then there was this idea of doing it for charity. It's freezing without my hair. I haven't had it this short since I was seven."

Phil raised £320 in sponsorship.

Jack's mum June Walker, who works at Asda, helped to organise the event. She said: "It's great for us to be able to give something back to the Teenage Cancer Trust."

Football fan Jack had a surprise while receiving treatment in Birmingham when he bumped into former Walsall and AFC Telford United star Kris Taylor. The 30-year-old footballer, who now plays for Hednesford Town, was told he had testicular cancer in January.

Taylor has donated some signed Walsall shirts which Jack intends to auction online.