A WOMAN from Ellesmere will be ‘braving the shave’ in recognition of the help she received from cancer nurses.

Isobel Barrett has decided to have her hair cut and then completely shaved off to raise money for Macmillan Nurses and the Severn Hospice.

In November 2017, Isobel’s husband passed away due to pancreatic cancer, and a mere six weeks later, she herself was diagnosed with a rare form of stomach cancer.

Now, after an operation to remove part of her stomach, Isobel has been told that her cancer has all been removed and she feels that it is her time to give something back.

“I had a rare stomach cancer that was diagnosed in January 2018, and had some of my stomach removed in March of the same year,” she said.

“Had it not have been for the Macmillan Nurses at Boston Hospital in Lincolnshire, where I was living at the time, I wouldn’t have survived.

“Because my cancer was such a rare one, I had to go to Addenbrook Hospital in Cambridgeshire.

“When I was there, I met three ladies on my ward that had had their hair shaved before having chemo.

“I was so distraught at seeing that. I had just lost my husband and had my own cancer diagnosis.

“So it’s my time now to join them in what they went through with losing their hair and pay back to the hospital Macmillan Nurses for all that they do.”

The 72-year-old, who moved to Ellesmere from Lincolnshire in June this year to be closer to her daughter, has also undertaken other charity events since her diagnosis in order to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

From coffee mornings to walkathons, Isobel has done it. But she claims that the hair shave is her ‘big attempt to really make a difference’.

“I’ve always wanted to do this so now is a good time,” she added. “The hospice is amazing, and the Macmillan Nurses. It really is my time to pay back and tell cancer ‘You’ve lost’. We’re driving you out’.”

Isobel’s head shave will be taking place on Friday, September 27 at Ceri’s Hair Salon in Cross Street at 12pm.

Collection boxes are at Ceri’s, The Boathouse and at the Severn Hospice shop in Ellesmere or you can also visit bravetheshave.macmillan.org.uk/shavers/isobel-barrett to donate.