A ROTHERHAM teacher has raised hundreds of pounds for the hospital which is currently taking care of one of his pupils.
Fifteen-year-old Harrison Walch, who attends Aston Academy, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia in April. He has been receiving intensive chemotherapy at Sheffield Children’s Hospital since and, in August, he underwent the stem cell transplant needed to save his life.
Brett Sutcliffe, Assistant Faculty Leader in Inclusion at the Aughton Road school – and Harrison’s form tutor – ran the Sheffield 10k recently and has raised more than £300 for the Oncology ward at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.
Mr Sutcliffe said: “Everyone has rallied round for Harrison, who faces another six to twelve months of being on medication. His white blood cells are still extremely low and he has to be careful what he eats; no processed food, no soft drinks, just fresh fruit and vegetables.
“It was quite emotional being on the starting line of the Sheffield 10k and I was honoured to be wearing an orange t-shirt showing my support for Harrison. His dad, Steve Walch, ran with me for a bit before him and his friends and colleagues from South Yorkshire Police ran ahead. I was pleased with my time – I clocked 1:07 – but, more importantly, we raised money for the hospital where Harrison is being looked after.”
Staff and pupils at Aston Academy – one of 12 schools which make up the ACET Trust of schools – have been filling in Harrison’s timetable for the 2019-20 academic year to make sure that he stays up to date on everything happening at school.
Harrison’s family – mum Nickie, dad Steve and sister Daisy – have been very active on social media and his Facebook page – Harrison Kicks Leukaemia – has more than 2.2k followers. Celebrities including singer Lewis Capaldi and SAS: Who Dares Wins star Ant Middleton have sent him video messages of support.
And, next month, it is hoped that Harrison will be well enough to visit Aston as they welcome representatives from the Anthony Nolan Trust. They will be swabbing sixth form students and staff and adding them to the stem cell register where they could potentially save someone’s life.
“The Anthony Nolan Trust will be coming into school in October and will put together a presentation for pupils on what they do,” added Mr Sutcliffe.
“We intend to swab as many people as possible, both students and staff, and, if Harrison is well enough, he will also be coming along to see his friends.”
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