A SCHOOLBOY had his head shaved in support of his mum - after the family cat helped her discover she had cancer.

Twelve-year-old Adam McEwing wanted to continue his mother Karen's charity fundraising after she was diagnosed with the disease earlier this year.

She only discovered she had breast cancer following a trip to the doctor which had been sparked by an unusual allergic reaction to the family pet.

That prompted a visit to her GP and - mixed with an existing back problem - prompted the doctor to refer her straight to hospital for checks where the diagnosis was made.

It put an end to Karen's charity fundraising but Adam carried on in a show of support to his mum and has raised over £2,200 for Macmillan after taking on the 'brave the shave' challenge.

The Port Glasgow High pupil said: "My mum went to the doctor because the cat made her eye swell swell up, which hadn't happened before so it was unusual.

"The doctor said she was going into hospital but not because of her eye but because of her back.

"Last year she sneezed and thought she had popped the muscle in between the ribs, which is apparently one of the worst things you can do.

"So when she went to the hospital she got an MRI scan and was told she had broken two ribs and had cancer and that it had spread to her vertebrae and weakened them so when she sneezed that's what's broken them.

"She's been up and down to hospital and the Beatson for therapy for the cancer and for her back, two rods and two bolts have been put in to hold it.

"One week she went to hospital and the next week we found out she had cancer - it was nuts."

Karen is now recovering from back surgery and is being treated for the cancer.

She said: "Adam first thought about doing brave the shave when I received the pack for my Macmillan coffee morning - he wanted to do something himself to raise money so that was his plan.

"Unfortunately the week before the coffee morning I was admitted to hospital and we got the news that I had breast cancer which had spread to my spine and I would need emergency surgery to stabilise the vertebrae and hormone treatment for the cancer.

"Obviously the coffee morning was cancelled but Adam made the decision to continue with brave the shave in support of Macmillan and me.

"His dad set the page up with a target of £1,000 which he passed the night before his 12th birthday - November 14 - and the donations continued to come in until the day of the shave when the total passed £2,000.

"His total is currently £2,235 with an extra £103 still to come.

"We can’t express how proud we are of Adam - he is a kind, thoughtful boy who would help anyone - and how totally overwhelmed we are by the generosity of everyone who has donated."

The youngster is now used to his new look but says it was a nervy experience.

Adam said: "It was nerve-racking then I was like 'wow' when my hair was gone.

"It's a bit colder now but it's fine, my mum and dad say I suit it.

"I want to thank to everyone who has donated, the amount is unreal."

Port High head teacher Stuart Clark says everyone at the school has huge admiration for the S1 pupil.

Mr Clark said: "He's done really well and we're all really proud of him."

To sponsor Adam visit https://bravetheshave.macmillan.org.uk/shavers/adam-mcewing