Bev’s head shave helps cancer fight

APPEAL boost . . . (from the left) Debra Walker and Bev Smith presented a cheque to Lilian Walsh. With them is Bev’s son, Joshua James Bardsley.

CHAMPION fundraiser Debra Walker enlisted the help of her cousin Bev Smith to raise £773 for the Christie Hospital.

Debra beat breast cancer 10 years ago, and when she fell victim to the disease a second time 12 months ago she underwent treatment which made her lose her hair.

“Bev said she would have her head shaved too, but decided she wasn’t doing it for nothing, so she did it for sponsorship,” she said.

Bev, of Kershaw Street, Shaw, was supported by her family, friends and colleagues, who rallied round to make donations, and the pair handed over the proceeds to Lilian Walsh, from the Christie’s Against Cancer fundraising group.

Debra, of Tulpen Square, Chadderton, has been helping the group raise money since her first battle against the disease a decade ago.

She has helped to raise thousands of pounds, and takes a pride in seeing what the money has paid for on her visits to Manchester’s world-famous Christie Hospital.

Debra (47) is now well on her way to recovery and is back at work as a classroom support assistant at Burnley Brow Primary School, Chadderton.

She said: “I had chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and the doctor said he was pleased with my progress.”