George Bush Sr shaves head in support of young cancer patient

Former US President George H.W. Bush shaved his head in a show of support for a two-year-old boy who is battling leukaemia and is losing his hair as a result of treatment.

A statement from his office said the 89-year old former president acted after seeing members of his Secret Service detail with the newly shaved heads.

The two-year old, called Patrick, is the son of a member of the former president's security team.

The Bushes lost their second child, four-year old Robin, to leukaemia 60 years ago.

The security team has launched a website, www.patrickspals.org, to help with expenses associated with Patrick's medical treatment.