TWO schoolboys are overjoyed to have raised £3,000 for their friend with cancer.

Billy Dryden and George Errington, both at Notley High School, were shocked when their friend Jake Whiteside was diagnosed with a brain tumour last year.

Billy, 16, of London Road in Braintree, and George, also 16, from Great Notley, shaved their heads at the school to raise money for the charity that helped him.

Fellow friends and students watched on in support on March 16, as the boys had their head shaved in the school hall.

Jake, 16, from Rayne, was helped by the Wipe Away Those Tears foundation, and all money raised went to the charity.

Their target was £500, and Billy said the friends were really happy with their total amount raised, and that they were happy to be able to support their friend.

Family and classmates have hailed the boys heroes after their kind act.

The boys said: "We can honestly say that Jake is the strongest person we know and have infinite respect and love for him."

Visit www.justgiving.com/Billy-Dryden