Xiao He, 12, is unable to move about freely due to congenital cerebral palsy. However, he could continue pursuing his learning after six classmates volunteered to accompany him like bodyguards.

At Huanghua Experimental Elementary School in Huanghua city, North China's Hebei province, Xiao He is often accompanied by Yu Deshui, Lv Kunyu, Wang Yangning, Zhang Baojun, Wang Junhao and Cao Zhihe, no matter if it's to the toilet or to the playground, Yanzhao Metropolis Daily reported on Wednesday.

The six students have accompanied and helped Xiao He move about since the latter semester of Grade One, now they are in Grade Four.

Xiao He contracted cerebral palsy when his brain was deprived of oxygen during birth. Due to limited body movement, Xiao He could not go out alone.

After his mother Chen Yanhong sent him to school, Xiao He was used to sitting on his chair and staring blankly during each class break.

However, things changed after six students came to lend helping hands to Xiao He.

Instead of playing outdoors with others, the six boys chose to chat and share jokes with Xiao He. Even during PE classes, the six boys carry Xiao He around the playground so he can participate.

When asked why they volunteered to help Xiao He, the six classmates said they were moved by Xiao He and his mother, who both insisted on Xiao He coming to class no matter how difficult it was.

Zhang Baojun, one of the six, wrote in his notebook that helping others makes him happy and he is deeply moved by Xiao He's strong will, so he wants to help him.

Another said: "Xiao He has difficulty walking, and it is very hard for his mother to carry him to and from school. However, they seldom ask for leave. We think that we ought to help him as classmates or as friends."

Xiao He also has trouble holding pens, so his writing was crooked. Seeing this, his desk mate Wang Yangning held his hand to teach him how to write each stroke.

One day, Xiao He's mother could not make it to school to bring the boy home, and asked his teacher for help. After learning this, the six pupils volunteered to accompany home Xiao He instead of going home right after class.

Many teachers were deeply moved by this. Zheng Maoxia, who took over the class since Grade Three, said: "Because of one special student in the class, I have found more special kids."

Explaining that the six students carried Xiao He home through the mud on a rainy day, Zheng said: "The six have never complained of being tired during the past three years."

Just days ago, Xiao He felt sick during class, so Wang Yangning carried him to the toilet immediately. Knowing Xiao He vomited a lot, the boys and the teacher came to give Xiao He water to gargle.

Knowing this, Chen Yanhong said she felt warm, and admitted that initially she didn't know whether her son could attend school. "However, my child wants to go to school. I also don't want to give up. I hope he can learn at school like other children," said Chen.

Chen also said: "The help from teachers and classmates has more influence on my boy's inner heart than his daily life at school. Now he often talks with us about the things that happened at school, which he seldom did before."

Zheng has the same feeling as Chen by saying: "Xiao He seldom smiled before, but nowadays he is much happier and studies harder."

Xiao He said: "I am very happy to have them around me and help me." His six friends said: "We hope we can be in the same class after entering a higher school and we can keep on caring for him."