Former NRL star Josh Reynolds and charity Little Wings team-up for anti-bullying program

The relentless bullying of a 13-year-old cancer survivor has moved former Bulldogs player Josh Reynolds to put an end to the shocking behaviour across all Aussie schools.

Exclusive: Teagan Ferguson thought battling cancer was hard enough. That was until she returned to school and to the cruel taunts of classmates.

Diagnosed with lymphoblastic leukaemia at age 13, Ms Ferguson spent 12 months undergoing several debilitating treatments.

But after returning to school, and with a changed physical appearance from the cancer medication, Ms Ferguson’s friends became her bullies.

“When I returned back to school I was pretty immunocompromised and I struggled quite a bit because I hadn’t really been in contact with my friends,” the now 21-year-old said.

“But rather than be welcomed back with open arms, I experienced bullying and unhappiness in a place that should have been a sanctuary.

Teagan Ferguson, was diagnosed with lymphoblastic leukaemia at age 13.

“I had gained weight from the medications and lost all my hair completely … I would go home crying and upset that I was no longer connecting with anyone.”

Ms Ferguson eventually sought professional help in her final years of schooling after the bullying took its toll.

And shockingly, her experience isn’t isolated.

In fact, charity Little Wings, who fly children in rural and regional NSW to specialised oncology services in Sydney, has seen a rise in patients disclosing similar stories.

Cancer survivor Teagan Ferguson shares her story to students as part of a new anti-bullying program being launched.Picture Tenille Salmon

It’s what led them, along with former Bulldogs player and anti-bullying advocate Josh Reynolds, to address the issue with a new program called Soaring Towards Zero Bullying, which will be made available to all primary and high schools in Australia, and includes teacher and student resources.

“The program is designed to assist schools and students in preparing for the re-entry of a student that has been seriously ill or injured,” Little Wings chief executive officer Clare Pearson said.

Cancer survivor Teagan Ferguson with Little Wings CEO Clare Pearson (far left) and Little Wings chief operating officer Katie McIntyre.

“It was crafted after Little Wings continually documented the bullying, harassment and isolation of children and young people that bear physical scars, amputations, weight gain or hair loss attributed to their medical condition, when re-entering the school environment,” Ms Pearson said.

“We found many existing programs focused on the seriously ill-child, preparing them for return, but nothing for the wider school community”.

Reynolds knows first-hand the impacts bullying can have, after enduring relentless trolls during his time in the NRL.

Former NRL player Josh Reynolds is helping Little Wings launch a new anti-bullying program to be rolled out nationally in schools.

“When you’re a bit older and you’re playing sport, people say it just comes with the territory, but I disagree with it,” Reynolds said.

“I wear my heart on my sleeve and I took the game losses really badly and I suppose the last thing you need is someone telling you nasty things that I can’t repeat.

“Social media is a place where people can say whatever they want with no ramifications … I used to read what people said and it got to me early on in my career.

Former NRL player and anti-bullying advocate Josh Reynolds with students in Orange NSW.

“It’s important we go to schools and spread the message to the kids early and make them realise that what they do does affect people and their mental health.”

The free program has been designed to align with the national curriculum, allowing teachers to integrate it into their PDHPE classes over a 10 week program.

Originally published as Former NRL star Josh Reynolds and charity Little Wings team-up for anti-bullying program