Haverhill teenager Simon Williams thanks charity Teens Unite for its support after beating cancer

steve.barton@iliffepublishing.co.uk

Published: 05:00, 06 December 2024

A teenager who has overcome cancer has raised almost £3,000 for a charity as a way of saying ‘thank you’ for its help and support.

Simon Williams, aided by his parents Amanda and Keith and his big sister Alicia, 23, put on a bingo night at Castle Manor Academy in Haverhill to raise funds for Teens Unite, a charity that he says has ‘helped keep me standing’.

Held on Friday, November 29 at the school where the 18-year-old was once a student, it raised £2,829 for the charity. Simon was even the caller for the night.

Simon Williams with his sister Alicia, mum Amanda and dad Keith, wearing their Teens Unite shirts before the bingo night fund-raiser. Pictures: Submitted

The donation comprised £1,225 paid into a gofundme account and £802 gifted on the night - an amount that was match-funded through the Big Give campaign.

The charity, based in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, brings together young people aged 13 to 24, with a shared experience of cancer, enabling them to unite through tailored activities, workshops, residential stays and skills-based programmes.

Simon, who lives in Haverhill with his parents and sister, was diagnosed on April 17 with Hodgkin lymphoma, six weeks after raising concerns about a 4.5 cm lump that he found on a shoulder.

Simon Williams receiving chemotherapy for his cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma. Picture: Submitted

Now clear of cancer and having raised the money, Simon said: “Teens Unite is one of the only cancer charities that exists that, after your treatment, still wants to talk to you.

“It’s not possible to go back to your normal life and nobody talks to you about that.

“You can call them any time, day or night and they will answer. They will talk to you. They are the nicest people that just want to make a difference.”

Simon, who has had to defer starting a degree in Game Art at the University of Staffordshire until next September because of the cancer, was diagnosed with stage 2 Hodgkin Lymphoma on June 26.

Simon Williams (second left) with the team from K9 Digital, at The EpiCentre on Haverhill Research Park, that took part in the bingo night. Simon had an internship at the company. Picture: Contributed

The tumour had began to spread down into his neck and would have reached his heart but for the four doses of chemotherapy, spread over eight weeks, that he completed.

Despite his travails, Simon managed to compete his Games Design course at West Suffolk College, gaining a distinction, whilst not telling his classmates and teachers he had cancer.

Simon Williams in the mask and attached to the table that had to be moulded to fit him exactly to keep him still while the Proton Beam machine gave him his treatment. The mask was painted with a design Simon came up with himself. Picture: Contributed

The mask that Simon had to wear during his time in the proton beam therapy machine. He painted with a design that he came up with. Picture: Contributed

He also underwent ten days of proton beam therapy (PBT) at University College London, one of only two places in the UK where the treatment is available on the NHS.

PBT is a type of radiotherapy that uses high-energy protons to treat certain cancers, said Simon.

The proton beam therapy machine in which Simon was treated. Picture: Contributed

Looking back, Simon said: “Without the charities, I don’t know what it would be like. The NHS keeps you alive but the charities keep you standing.”

Simon’s mum Amanda, who together with his dad Keith runs KiiWii Clothing and Promotions from Blois Meadow in Steeple Bumpstead, said: “We are grateful for all the people making this happen.

“We are grateful for all the companies supporting us (with the bingo night). It’s been a horrible year and this has been an amazing way to finish it off.”

Charity Haverhill Health Human Interest Suffolk Homepage Steve Barton