What happened next turned fear into friendship… and raised over £25,000 in just a week.
In a heartwarming display of solidarity, twelve primary school boys from Berkshire bravely shaved their heads to show their support for their friend, 9-year-old Harry Mills, who is fighting a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Harry, from Charvil near Reading, was diagnosed with bone cancer in July and faces an intense treatment regimen, including 18 rounds of chemotherapy.
Harry’s diagnosis was a blow to him and his family, especially as he feared losing his hair. But instead of facing this challenge alone, Harry’s friends and his dad, Andy, decided to take action. They would stand by Harry and shave their heads in a show of unity. The event, held on September 9, has already raised an incredible £25,000 for Young Lives Vs Cancer, a charity that provides vital support to families affected by cancer.
Harry’s emotions were mixed as he sat before the mirror, watching as his hair was shaved off for the first time. “At the end there was a mirror and I could see it and I was like, ‘I look 10 times more different,’” Harry said, noting how the transformation felt surreal. As Harry became the first to undergo the shave, his friends and father cheered him on, offering their moral support. The atmosphere was charged with nervous excitement as the boys followed suit, one by one, until they all had nearly shaved heads. They grinned for the cameras before and after, showing off their courage and their unwavering friendship.
The boys’ incredible efforts didn’t stop with the hair shave. Within just a week, they smashed their fundraising target of £10,000, raising more than double that amount to help other children and families battling cancer. Byron Geldard from Young Lives Vs Cancer praised the boys for their efforts, saying, “Harry and his friends have done an amazing job in smashing their target of £10,000 in less than seven days.”
For Andy Mills, Harry’s father, the gesture was deeply meaningful. “I said to the boys that it means so much to us and to Harry, the fact that they are doing this for him because, you know, people do stare at kids with no hair,” Andy shared. “It’s something personal to Harry that he knows he’s got some really good mates that are right by his side throughout this for him.”
Harry’s battle began earlier this year, when he started experiencing pain in his leg while playing football. The pain soon led to swelling, and Harry began limping. After an X-ray and an MRI scan, doctors broke the news to the family: Harry had a tumour in his leg. The tumour, diagnosed as Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma, is extremely rare and accounts for less than 1% of all cancers. The doctors told Harry’s parents that the tumour had likely burst through the bone, and the road ahead would involve extensive chemotherapy and several surgeries.
Despite the overwhelming challenges ahead, Harry has remained strong, supported by an outpouring of love and encouragement from friends, family, and even celebrities. Harry Judd, the drummer for McFly, sent a message of support, saying, “Hey Harry, it’s Harry. Great name! I’m sorry you’ve not been very well but I hear you’re being super brave.” Radio DJ Chris Evans also sent his well-wishes, offering prayers and good energy for Harry’s recovery.
Harry’s sisters, Laura and Abi, are also getting involved in the fundraising effort. Throughout September, they’ve challenged themselves to walk 80 miles as part of the “Challenge 80” initiative. Abi, who has been immensely proud of her brother, said, “It’s nothing compared to obviously what Harry is going through so it’s kind of us just doing our little bit. I’m just honestly in complete awe of all of them. Also, I’m just a very proud big sister about how strong he’s been too. Obviously, we’ve had our tears and ups and downs, but he’s powered through it, so much better than I could.”
As Harry looks forward to the day when his treatment is over, he holds onto the promise of a special trip once he is well again. His diagnosis came just two days before their summer holiday, and despite everything he’s endured, Harry knows he has the full support of his family and friends, and that together, they will make it through this difficult journey.
This powerful act of love and solidarity has not only raised money for those affected by cancer but has also highlighted the strength and resilience of Harry and his community, proving that even in the darkest of times, the light of friendship and support can shine brightly.
People laughed when she said she was a pop star. Laughed even harder when she signed a record deal. But what she achieved left them speechless
Samantha Fox’s story is one of grit, reinvention, and an unyielding determination to carve her own path in an industry that was all too ready to box her in. Her journey into the public eye didn’t begin with a microphone in hand or a dream of stardom on a stage—it began with a quiet act of courage at just 16 years old. Raised in East London, Samantha wasn’t born into privilege or show business. Her family lived modestly, and money was always tight. When she walked into a modeling audition wearing a pink jumpsuit, it wasn’t out of vanity or a thirst for fame. It was necessity. Her family needed financial support, and she saw an opportunity.
Her father stepped in as her manager, guiding her early career while also imposing his own strict expectations at home. That dynamic created pressure, but it also sharpened Samantha’s resilience. By 17, she was thrust into the spotlight as one of Britain’s most recognizable young figures, appearing regularly in a popular newspaper column that turned her into a tabloid sensation. Practically overnight, her image was plastered across magazines and posters, making her a household name. Yet beneath the glossy photographs, Samantha was restless. She had achieved visibility—but she craved something deeper, something that felt like her own.
That something was music. From a young age, she had been drawn to singing, to the thrill of expressing herself through sound rather than images. But when she began telling people she wanted to pursue music seriously, the response was almost always laughter. The industry, the press, and even casual onlookers dismissed her. To them, she was just a “Page 3 girl,” not someone capable of commanding a stage. When she landed her first record deal, the skepticism only grew louder. But Samantha didn’t back down.
Then came Touch Me (I Want Your Body) in 1986. Bold, emotional, and brimming with energy, the single silenced the doubters. It skyrocketed to number one in 17 countries, instantly transforming Samantha from tabloid regular to international pop star. Suddenly, she wasn’t just a familiar face—she was topping global charts and performing to sold-out crowds. What had started as a teenage act of financial necessity had evolved into something far more powerful: the beginning of a genuine music career.
Still, the shadows of her past followed her. The industry was reluctant to take her seriously, often attaching the label “model-turned-singer” to her name as though it disqualified her artistry. But Samantha refused to let those words define her. She doubled down on her craft, recording more music, touring extensively, and most importantly, insisting on live performances in an era when many of her peers leaned heavily on lip-syncing. She wanted to prove that she wasn’t just a manufactured image—she was a performer with raw talent and an undeniable stage presence.
Her resilience paid off. Over the years, Samantha released multiple albums, experimented with different sounds, and built a loyal fan base that admired not just her music, but her strength. She wore her sparkle and glamour unapologetically, but behind that glitter was a toughness forged by years of fighting for recognition on her own terms.
Yet the most poignant part of Samantha’s story is not about fame or music—it’s about love. For years, she kept a deeply personal relationship hidden from public view. In a world where her image had been so heavily commodified, the idea of revealing her true self felt terrifying. She feared that coming out could cost her everything: her career, her fans, even her family’s acceptance. So she kept silent, living with a mask carefully placed over her private life.
It wasn’t until tragedy struck in 2015, when her long-term partner passed away, that Samantha chose to speak openly. With heartbreaking honesty, she revealed: “She was the love of my life.” Those words reframed her legacy. Suddenly, people could see beyond the headlines and the stage lights. They saw a woman who had sacrificed her own openness for the sake of survival, and who finally, after years of silence, chose to honor her truth.
In many ways, that moment was as revolutionary as the release of Touch Me. Samantha had once fought to be heard as a singer rather than dismissed as a model. Now she was fighting to be seen as a whole person, beyond the constraints of fame, expectation, and fear. Her courage gave voice to countless others who, like her, had lived behind a mask, waiting for the right moment to step forward as their authentic selves.
Today, Samantha Fox’s story stands as more than just a tale of a young model-turned-pop star. It is a testament to resilience, to the power of reinvention, and to the courage required to live truthfully. She never set out to be anyone’s icon or ideal—she simply wanted to sing, to be heard, and to live authentically. And despite the obstacles, she has done just that.
Her journey forces us to ask a difficult but necessary question: How many people are still living in silence, hiding parts of themselves just to fit the expectations of others? And what might the world gain if, like Samantha, they finally found the strength to step forward and live without disguise?
Because in the end, Samantha Fox’s legacy is not just about chart-topping hits or glamorous photos. It’s about a young girl in a pink jumpsuit who dared to step into the unknown, a woman who fought for her voice, and a human being who, after years of hiding, finally chose to live her truth—out loud.
