Rachael to ‘brave the shave’ for charity

Rachael Phillips, a medical lab assistant at the RD&E, has signed up to ‘Brave the Shave’ and have her hair cut off for Macmillan Cancer Support on 4th September.

Macmillan provides specialist support to people with cancer and their families. This summer they are asking people to stand proudly alongside men and women who have cancer and be sponsored to shave off their hair for the charity.

Rachael, who has set herself a fundraising target of £350, was inspired by her own family to ‘Brave the Shave’. She said: “My granny had bowel cancer in her 80’s and overcame it. I’ve also known a couple of people recently who have been helped by Macmillan. It’s an amazing thing to have someone there as a support service like Macmillan. Sometimes I think it’s what people need more than just having a new drug.”

Rachael will have her shoulder length hair cut off in the A2 seminar room in the RD&E laboratory where she works. She has also pledged to donate the hair she cuts off to the Little Princess Trust; a charity that provides real hair wigs to boys and girls across the UK that have sadly lost their own hair through cancer treatment. She will also personally donate £350 to the Little Princess Trust if she exceeds her initial fundraising target for Macmillan.

Rachael added: “I’ve got a 22 month old daughter myself and imagining her without any hair is just awful. I think having a real hair wig could help children overcome their cancer. I’ve had short hair before and have the certainty that mine will grow back again. If I can help a child who doesn’t have that certainty then I would be very happy.”

To find out more about Brave the Shave or to donate visit www.bravetheshave.org.uk