Give to GOSH: Seven-year-old Rowan reaches another milestone as he continues treatment for leukaemia

The Independent has been following Rowan as part of the Give To GOSH appeal

Rowan Pethard is back at school for four days a week after treatment for leukaemia at GOSH

For the first time since he started chemotherapy, seven-year-old Rowan Pethard has enough hair to put a bit of gel in it.

The Independent has been following Rowan as part of the Give To GOSH appeal and has seen him return from Great Ormond Street Hospital to his home in Hemel Hempstead, where he will continue maintenance treatment for his leukaemia.

Gel in his hair might seem trivial, but for Rowan’s family it is another milestone in his long journey.

Football-mad Rowan was back in GOSH last week, though, after he experienced pain from the nerve endings in his feet. This side-effect from his chemotherapy is causing him difficulty walking.

His mum, Abby, said: “It is difficult for him to walk and get around and we need to work out how bad it is and what they can do for it.” Pain in his feet means that Rowan still can’t play football with his older brother Corey, 10, while plans to join his local football team have had to be put on hold.

Rowan said: “I don’t feel sad when my brother plays but I do wish I could play with him. I’m better than my brother though.”

Rowan has at least two more years of treatment ahead of him under the care of GOSH but the outlook appears positive and he hopes his feet will have recovered in time for him to take part alongside his family in the RBC Race For Kids this May. In the meantime, Rowan started back at school on a reduced timetable of four days a week earlier this year, though he has been held back a year after falling behind because of his illness.

Rowan said: “School is good because I get to see all my friends. Sometimes I find it hard though because I get tired.

“People at school have asked for my autograph because I’ve been in the paper. I feel a bit famous. My favourite thing about the appeal is raising all this money for Great Ormond Street Hospital.”

To Give to GOSH go to: http://ind.pn/1Mydxqt

To find out more about our appeal and why we're supporting GOSH go to: http://ind.pn/1MycZkr

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