Look good...feel great!

makeover . . . for Jenny Fretwell (seated, left) and Carole Lennox, from Helen Beadsworth (left) and Deborah Parson, from Boots in Oldham

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THESE beauties have all had a makeover to boost their confidence, courtesy of a pioneering new service from Oldham Cancer Support Centre.

The women all enjoyed beauty treatments at the first of a monthly pamper day for cancer sufferers and their carers.

The service is the latest to be launched by the Failsworth-based charity to support those affected by the disease.

And once more it relies totally on volunteers who have committed their time and skills on a regular basis, without charge, to help others.

Fund-raising organiser Beverley Heap explained: “The most frightening thing for many people, as much as the cancer itself, is that they may lose their looks.

“Now I can offer them a place on the pamper day, where they can come and see for themselves what a difference we can make. It’s a fun day, very informal. We can take up to 12 women a month, we have wine and lunch and a bit of fun.

“One woman said to me it had been one of the most lovely, relaxing, fun days she has had, and she had met people in the same situation as herself and made some really good new friends.”

Those who use wigs after losing their hair with treatment can also get help from hairdresser Sheena Lever, from The Christie Hospital.

She is a specialist at styling wigs, and has been trained by top hair stylist Trevor Sorbie.

Beverley added: “I met Trevor at an event and he told me he was doing the training because he had a relative with cancer and was horrified with the wig they were walking round in.

“It costs around £1,000 to buy a styled wig, but a good hairdresser can make such a difference to an NHS wig.”

Oldham Cancer Support Centre has pledged the cash to send two hairdressers on the training course, in return for a long-term commitment to do some voluntary work with cancer patients.

The pamper days will be held once a month, and volunteers who help make the scheme work include Vicky Spencer, from Chadderton’s Bella Sante beauty salon; beauty therapist Sam Knox; make-up artists Vicki Oulton and Amy Crank, and Boots, Oldham, which has volunteered two beauty consultants each month.

Beverley said: “We wouldn’t be able to run this service without volunteers because we couldn’t afford to pay them. I would like to thank all the therapists who give their time so freely, I know how difficult it is to commit on a regular basis.”

The next pamper/beauty session will be on Monday, August 16, at the cancer support centre at Failsworth Health Centre.

Anyone with cancer who thinks they may benefit from a treatment, or any hairdressers interested in volunteering and taking the wig-styling course, can contact Beverley on 0161-906 2940 or 07754 533026.