EFL: Coldstream rallies around Lawson Appleton in his fight against acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

COLDSTREAM Football Club has rallied around the son of playing assistant coach Lawson Appleton after he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Lawson Appleton leads Coldstream onto the ground on Saturday. Picture: Supplied

YOU couldn’t wipe the smile off Lawson Appleton’s face.

He had been excited for the day since he was presented with his Coldstream jumper, even sleeping in his Cougars strip with anticipation.

Eyes welled up as Lawson, 7, led Coldstream’s reserves and seniors, players he idolises, onto the ground in the Coldstream’s first home game of the year on Saturday.

Lawson was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in late January, undergoing intensive treatment in the hope of being cleared to remission from the blood cancer.

Lawson’s father Leam Doughty has been involved in Coldstream “on and off” since 1996, twice serving as coach and currently as a playing assistant.

He has never been as proud of his footy club for the way they have supported Lawson since the diagnosis.

“The club presented him Thursday night with a full kit of Coldstream gear and on the Friday I got home from work and he was already in the full kit,” Doughty said.

“He only took it off on Sunday and the only reason he took it off is because his mum spilt something on the Coldstream top.

“It was a really good day and Lawson had a fantastic time.”

The football club and the community has rallied around Lawson to let him know he is not alone in his fight, raising more than $7000.

The funds will be split between Lawson’s treatment and the Leukaemia Foundation.

About 30 players, family and friends shaved or coloured their hair on Saturday night as part of the World’s Greatest Shave.

“They’ve been a great support to Lawson and Lawson really loved the day so that was the best thing to see a smile on his face,” Doughty said.

“On Saturday night he didn’t want to leave the rooms, which was great because he gets very tired but on Saturday night he just had a great day and didn’t want to leave.”

Lawson, a keen Essendon supporter, cricketer and soccer player, hopes to soon be well enough to play football.

“He definitely wants to play but at the moment he is not strong enough but we’re hoping as the treatment goes on and if we get good results, within the next year he’ll be back playing his sport,” Doughty said.

“It’s been pretty tough but he is a little fighter and he is helping us get through it.

“I think we’re trying to be strong for him as well, it has obviously been tough but there is light at the end of the tunnel, it’s just a bit of a long road to get there.”

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