The brother of a woman who died of breast cancer, at the age of 32, has had his hair shaved off to raise funds for charity.
Simon Gildea’s sister Angela died in 2002, a year after her diagnosis.
Simon, of Saltney, said, “Once she was diagnosed, family and friends starting raising money to support the Breast Cancer Unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital, provide additional pieces of equipment and enhance the facilities and the environment for patients receiving treatment there.
Simon’s father Joe ran The Ship Victory pub in Chester, which closed on New Year’s Eve 2013 and will be demolished to make way for the council’s new bus interchange plan.
He said: “Over the years The Ship Victory pub and many other people have hosted quizzes, raffles and karaoke nights, as well as turkey trots at Chester Racecourse and rounders matches.
“In 2012 after 10 years of fundraising the amount raised had reached a staggering £100,000. In the same year the pub was crowned best charitable pub in the Great British Pub Awards 2012.”
Simon chose July to have his head shaved as it was the month Angela was diagnosed.
He added: “This is the month when Angela was diagnosed and I plan to let my hair keep growing until 15 January 2016, which is the anniversary of Angela’s passing. I just wanted to do something different. I know lots of people have their heads shaved for charity, but I won’t get mine cut when it gets back to its normal length, I am just going to ‘Let it Grow’ and then see in January how different I look.
“The idea is that visually during this five month period of ‘Let it Grow we can all be reminded how cancer can grow in a short space of time. I want to raise awareness of this and encourage people to get checked if they see any signs.”
Simon has set himself a target to raise £500 and already he has raised £225. You can sponsor him at justgiving.com/Simon-Gildea/
