Arthur's 12-month bare legs challenge for charity

A middle school pupil from Tritlington has given short shrift to winter chills after deciding to wear shorts for a whole year.
Arthur Conlin took on the challenge of wearing shorts for a year to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. Picture by Jane Coltman.Arthur Conlin took on the challenge of wearing shorts for a year to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. Picture by Jane Coltman.
Arthur Conlin took on the challenge of wearing shorts for a year to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. Picture by Jane Coltman.

Arthur Conlin has raised about £250 for Macmillan Cancer Support so far and his challenge comes to an end on December 1.

He was inspired to go bare-legged for 12 months as that is what his uncle Paul Naughton, a headteacher at a school in County Durham, did. His year wearing shorts finished a few months ago.

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Paul was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2010, but beat the disease after undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Another of Arthur’s uncles, Adrian, also recovered from getting cancer as a teenager and his grandmother Christine is in remission following treatment for breast cancer this year.

However, his grandfather Kevin died of prostate cancer eight years ago. Macmillan provided excellent support to Kevin and family members following his diagnosis.

The 11-year-old, a Year 7 student at Chantry Middle School and Technology College in Morpeth, said: “I wear shorts quite a lot anyway, so I chose to do this challenge because I thought I could complete it.

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“I’ve had lots of support from my family, friends and the school and I would like to thank all those who have donated.”

“There were times when my legs were chilly, but I was determined to succeed and so I didn’t put any trousers on,” he added.

People can make a donation to add to the total online at www.justgiving.com/arthurconlin