Boy who inspired Somerset cricket team rings cancer bell
A seven-year-old boy who became a cricket team's "lucky mascot" has celebrated the end of his treatment for cancer.Bodhi visited Somerset County Cricket Club to share the good news after he rang the bell following more than two years of treatment for T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.He first met the players when they visited the children's ward at Bristol Children's Hospital and they have been friends ever since.Bodhi's mother Alice said his friendship with his favourite team makes him feel "really special" and has "instilled confidence in him".
The players spotted Bodhi in the crowd when they collected their Vitality Blast T20 trophy in 2023 and rushed him out to join them on the podium."It was a very surreal experience and exciting for him at a time when things were not very exciting," Alice said."He was taking chemotherapy in the stands that day," she said.Players Ben Green and Tom Kohler-Cadmore in particular have formed a strong bond with him.
Tom was struck by Bodhi's positivity when he met him at the hospital."Even on his bad days, he keeps his spirits up," Tom said. "He is an inspiration. Everyone at the club adores him, and whenever he's around, he brings smiles to everyone's faces."Tom has invited Bodhi and his family to T20 games over the years, and was thrilled to celebrate the trophy win with him."When he was in the crowd, it was special to have him be part of our journey that year," Tom said.
Alice said Bodhi had been the team's "lucky mascot" ever since their first meeting."He feels like he's their friend and that will continue," she said."We went [to the club] the other day to share the news of him ringing the bell and all the talk was around 'when will we see him again'."The club didn't have to do what they did, they went above and beyond and that compassion and empathy for our situation has really shone through."
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