Teen boy grows hair out for more than three years after dad dies of pancreatic cancer
Summary
A 14-year-old boy has had his first haircut in more than three years after growing out his locks since his dad died of pancreatic cancer in 2022. Oscar Davis, from Gretton near Cheltenham, was just 11 years old when he lost his dad Chris in December 2022, days after Christmas, following a short but aggressive cancer battle. Chris was only 50 years old.
Details
He wanted to do something in his dad’s memory, and so began to grow his hair out – and at the same time, decided to raise money for Kate’s Home Nursing, the hospice based in North Cotswolds who helped care for his dad in his final days. Oscar, now 14, initially set out to raise £100 – but smashed his target and managed to receive a £837 in donations as his hair continued to grow.
He finally had his long locks cut off last week – and says his head feels ‘a lot lighter’ now. Oscar’s mum, Laura Davis, 47, said: “I’m very proud of him, it was a big thing for him to do. His hair grew to a good length, it was well past his shoulders.
We didn’t measure how much was cut off, but it was mad to see how much hair ended up in a pile on the floor after his haircut. “It’s almost been like a fresh start for him now. You change a lot between the ages of 11 and 14, so to see him now with his hair short is a bit of a new start.
I think he prefers it short now though, and he’s really pleased with how much money he managed to raise.” Explaining the cause that Oscar was raising money for, Laura said: “His dad passed away from pancreatic cancer on December on December 28, 2022. He was only diagnosed in May of that year, and then it spread to his liver, so it was all quite quick, and it was a very tricky time for us all.
“But Kate’s Home Nursing is an amazing local charity, and they allowed Chris to be at home with us during his final days and weeks. So Oscar wanted to do something to say thank you to them.” Oscar said: “I just wanted to see how long I could grow it, really. But I am really proud of myself for how much money I raised for such a good cause.
I do prefer having it short now, it feels a lot lighter.” Helen Makaritis, the CEO of Kate’s Home Nursing, said: “No-one should lose a parent at such a young age. All of us at Kate’s Home Nursing are so grateful for the huge amount raised by Oscar in memory of his dad, I’m sure his dad would be very proud of him.
“Thank you Oscar, for helping to provide a nurse for another family in need.” To find out more about Kate’s Home Nursing, or if you require hospice care for a loved one, you can visit the charity’s website.
Report source: Gloucestershire Live