Despite the challenges of his own cancer journey, ten year old Spencer Codling, who is the winner of the Cancer Support UK and Warmies Dream Besties Competition, designed his own superhero ted to help other children with cancer
Pre-order your own limited edition Bat Cat here: Pre-order
Spencer was only six years old when he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) in October 2020. His mum Karen and dad Joe were desperately worried, scared and confused by the diagnosis, which happened really fast. They didn’t know what to expect from the treatment, which they were told would take around three and a half years.
Karen recalls how quickly Spencer was diagnosed:
“For approximately two weeks before diagnosis, Spencer had cold like symptoms – he was feeling lethargic, had a few bruises on his legs (no different to other active children his age) and was pale. But it was his rapid heart rate, which concerned us most.”
Karen took him to their local GP surgery for a check-up and Spencer was referred immediately to their local hospital, James Cook University Hospital (JCUH) in Middlesbrough, where they remained for three to four nights while he had tests. Spencer was then referred to the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) in Newcastle, where he received his actual diagnosis.
The treatment plan was for an initial six-month programme of intense chemotherapy, followed by a three-year maintenance treatment programme.
Unfortunately, after two and a half years of treatment, in March 2023, Spencer relapsed. In June 2023, he underwent a bone marrow transplant at the RVI. This involved further chemotherapy and six sessions of radiotherapy.
A match was found for Spencer on the Anthony Nolan donor register, and Spencer spent around eight to nine weeks on the transplant ward in strict isolation. Although the transplant itself was successful, sadly, Spencer relapsed for a second time just four months later. The leukaemia had entered his eye and caused the relapse. As a result, Spencer had chemotherapy injected into his eye (under general anaesthetic) once a week for three weeks. Remarkably, Spencer has fully recovered from this and has regained his vision in his eye.
In January 2024, Spencer received CAR T-cell therapy treatment at the RVI. This involved Spencer’s own cells being harvested and manufactured in a lab in Switzerland and then reinfused. It was hoped that this would provide a cure for Spencer. Unfortunately though, 11 months later in January 2025, Spencer relapsed for a third time.
Spencer has just completed a different CAR T-cell therapy, at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) in London, as part of a clinical trial and was discharged on 12 May. Due to his weakened immune system, Spencer is at higher risk of infections while he recovers for the next three months.
Spencer won Cancer Support UK and Warmies’ Dream Bestie Competition with his outstanding superhero Bat Cat design
It was during one of his hospital stays at GOSH that Spencer’s creativity and compassion shone through in a very different way. He entered the Cancer Support UK and Warmies® national Create Your Dream Bestie competition, which invited children with cancer to design their dream cuddly toy friend – something they’d love to have by their side through treatment.
Spencer’s drawing of a superhero ted, which children could cuddle when having cancer treatment, won the public vote in the Dream Bestie competition
Spencer’s entry, a charismatic superhero teddy called Bat Cat, was inspired by his wish to bring comfort to other children facing hospital stays. “I wanted to create a superhero teddy, which children could cuddle when having treatment to make them feel better,” says Spencer, who is a keen young artist and loves drawing.
Left to right: Warmies® Managing Director David Tweedale and Mark Guymer CEO Cancer Support UK visited Spencer at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children to present him with his Bat Cat soft toy and framed winner’s certificate
Out of hundreds of entries, Spencer’s Bat Cat was chosen as the winner by public vote, standing out for its originality, heart, and universal appeal. As part of his prize, Cancer Support UK CEO Mark Guymer and Warmies® Managing Director David Tweedale visited Spencer at GOSH to present him with his very own beautifully crafted Bat Cat, along with a framed winner’s certificate and Warmies®’ concept artwork of his design.
All profits from every Warmies® Bat Cat sold will support Cancer Support UK’s work to improve the lives of people living with and beyond cancer
Only 1,200 limited-edition Bat Cat toys will be produced by Warmies®, and all profits from sales will be donated to Cancer Support UK to support others living with and beyond cancer.
You can pre-order Bat Cat on the Warmies website.
The competition was designed to bring hope and joyful distraction to children like Spencer who endure long, challenging periods of treatment. For Spencer, it was a meaningful and morale-boosting project during an incredibly difficult time.
Talking about how it feels to have a child with cancer, Karen explains:
“Spencer has been receiving treatment for four and a half years with no break. His strength keeps us going. Many people say: ‘I don’t know how you cope, you are so strong’. But the reality is, we have no choice. We have to continue to fight this awful disease.
“Having a child go through cancer treatment is absolutely heartbreaking. We would do absolutely anything to swap places with him if we could. Knowing he has relapsed three times is absolutely crushing.
“We feel physically and emotionally drained. We both work full time and manage hospital appointments with annual leave, but this leaves little opportunity to have quality time off for a real break as a family.
“Even if we do manage to have a holiday, we still have to give daily medication and monitor him for a high temperature. It’s a constant worry, as we have to try and shield him from germs where possible.
“While we can see life continuing around us, it almost feels like our lives are on pause.
“Throughout Spencer’s cancer journey, we have received the very best care from both the RVI and GOSH and for that, we are forever grateful. The medical teams are absolutely incredible and work so hard to do the best for all the children in their care.
“We are also incredibly lucky to have such an amazing support network around us. Our family, friends and employers have been a constant support.”
Treatment has created mobility issues for Spencer. Chemotherapy causes pains in his legs, requiring him to use a wheelchair, as he tires easily. This in turn affects his school attendance and his ability to spend time with his friends.
Spencer has experienced long periods in isolation which at times, has (not surprisingly) affected his mood. He’s missed out on a great deal of schooling and educational trips. He has limited access to home schooling — often receiving just one hour per week.
Despite all these challenges, Spencer remains a bright, kind and funny boy with lots of friends. “He’s cheeky, but polite and has a heart of gold.”
A keen supporter of Middlesborough FC, Spencer is an active sports mad boy, who loves football, cricket, swimming, cycling and Lego.
Spencer enjoys hanging out with friends and has a close relationship with his older brother Isaac, 13, who is extremely supportive of his sibling’s cancer journey.
His strength and spirit continue to inspire everyone around him – and now, thanks to the Dream Bestie competition, his creativity and kindness will inspire many more children through Bat Cat.
Warmies brought to life Spencer’s drawing of a superhero ted called Bat Cat
Only 1,200 limited-edition Bat Cat toys will be produced by Warmies®, and all profits from sales will be donated to Cancer Support UK to support others living with and beyond cancer.
