Schoolboy who beat leukaemia found that his feet kept growing

Carl Griffiths’ feet have grown to a massive size 18 — double the average for adult men in Britain — after he was treated for leukaemia.

Carl, 14, of Trimsaran, near Llanelli in South Wales, was given steroids during four years of treatment. But after the schoolboy was given the all-clear two years ago, his feet kept growing. They have already gone up two sizes this year alone.



It means that Carl, 6ft 3in tall, has had to give up rugby because he cannot get boots big enough. “They only make them up to size 15, so I have to watch instead,” he said. “I’m heartbroken because I love playing and I’m an ideal second-row forward because of my height. I’ve tried everywhere to get boots, but it’s impossible.”

Carl’s parents managed to track down two pairs of size 17 trainers from America, the only footwear that fits.

He still has some way to go to claim a world record. That honour goes to Matthew McGrory, the late US actor, who had size 29.5 US shoes (UK size 29).