Stan Witcombe-Weeks may only be seven, but he has already set his sights on becoming a YouTuber. The youngster is looking for something to throw himself into while he has chemotherapy for cancer, as he will be spending a lot of time at home over the next months.
Now, his mum Jess has appealed for help from any Bristol YouTubers who could give Stan a few tips or guidelines on setting up his own YouTube channel. Funds have already been raised to get him the necessary equipment.
Jess said: “Stan has asked me to get some help for him as he wants to have his own channel. As his parents, we aren’t very good at helping him set it up, although we’ve tried to do a few practice videos.”
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Stanley’s cancer was diagnosed when the family went on holiday last August. Jess said: “We had left on a family holiday and we had just landed in Italy and got a taxi from the airport.
“We were on our way to the B&B and we were in the taxi when I put my hand on Stan’s leg and felt a lump. Within 48 hours, we had to fly home,” she said. He was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, Ewing’s sarcoma.
Since then, Stanley has been having chemotherapy treatment every couple of weeks at Bristol Children’s Hospital and is due to have an operation on his leg in April. Jess said he enjoys watching YouTube and gaming and while he’s stuck at home, wants to try launching his own channel.
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“He’s got lots of facial expressions and is lively and energetic. He’s got proper character. After his surgery, he will need rehab to get back on his feet. This will give him something to focus on,” she said.
Stan is in Year 2 and has been going to school whenever he is well enough, but with his immune system weakened by chemotherapy, Jess said they have to be careful. But she added they are determined to keep busy and positive during Stan’s treatment in the months ahead.
“He’s very active as he loves his bike and swimming and spending time with his friends, as well as jumping off high things. But he has to be careful not to hurt himself,” she said.
Stan has a list of his favourite YouTube channels, which include 123 Go!, SmallAliA, The Frustrated Gamer, Small Ant, Mykie & JJ, Manx Ninja Pig and Ryan. Jess said the family needed help from a YouTuber who was tech-savvy and was willing to help them set up the channel for Stanley.
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She said Stan does not have a clear vision of what he wants to record and would need advice on that aspect. He has one more round of chemotherapy treatment left before his surgery.
When Stan had started treatment and lost his hair after his first round of chemotherapy, he told his parents he’d like to help other children with cancer. The family started a fundraising campaign on justgiving.com to help Bristol Children’s Hospital’s Wallace & Gromit Grand Appeal, which supports children being treated at the hospital. It has already raised more than £7,500.
His school - Elm Park Primary in Winterbourne - came out in support of their Year 2 pupil with 10 people, including the headmistress, shaving off their hair in the 'brave to shave' challenge to help Stan raise money for the hospital.
Jess said setting up the YouTube channel would help to keep him “positive, busy and happy” while his treatment is on-going. Anyone who is willing to help Stan set up a YouTube channel can email witcombeweeksj@yahoo.co.uk
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