Brave Cancer Victim Leon Is Immortalised As A 30-Foot Cartoon

Brave Cancer Victim Leon Is Immortalised As A 30-Foot Cartoon

A brave little cancer victim has been immortalised as a 30ft-tall graffiti cartoon.

Two-year-old Leon Bartholomew recently lost a six month battle against the disease.

But the little boy's courage so inspired artist Scott Vincent that he spent two days spray painting the toddler's face onto a skate park memorial wall.

It shows the cartoon-mad youngster with Mickey Mouse ears.

Family and friends have flocked to the wall in his hometown of New Milton, Hampshire, to lay flowers, light candles and add messages.

Leon was diagnosed with undifferentiated sarcoma, which caused tumours to form his lungs and brain.

His dad, Daniel, 25, described the finished work as a 'perfect picture' of his son.

The former warehouse worker, who had to quit his job when Leon fell ill, said: "The whole family was warmed when we saw the wall for the first time.

"We were all devastated when Leon passed away after battling a rare form of cancer for six months. But the wall is the a great way to remember our son and people have treated it with respect - it's just like a shrine."

The family heard of Mr Vincent from a friend who contacted him about doing something special for Leon.

Daniel added: "We gave the artist a photo of Leon and he has managed to recreate the perfect picture of our son.

"It only took Scott two days to spray and I couldn't believe how accurate it was, as he just used a photo we gave him. He wanted to create something light-hearted and fun and decided to spray it as a cartoon. I think it's perfect.

"Leon loved cartoons. We love the wall and think it's perfect. I can't thank Scott enough. People still go down to the skate park every day to pay their respects."

Leon's mother, Rowena Hyett, 25, set up a Just Giving website that has already raised more than £1,000 for children's cancer charity CLIC Sargent.

To donate to CLIC Sargent, visit Justgiving.com/leonbartholomew.

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