AN Oxfordshire mum has shaved her head to raise money for charity, inspired by her two-year-old cancer survivor who was diagnosed at just 12 hours old.
Brogen, 34 from Wantage, shaved her head on Saturday, August 17 and raised over £6,000 for charity.
She was inspired to brave the shave after her now two-year-old daughter was diagnosed with cancer at just one day old.
Brogen will be donating her hair to The Little Princess Trust and the money raised will be split between them and Young Lives vs Cancer.
READ MORE: Patrons Pizza in Thame hit with ZERO food hygiene rating
She said: “Before the birth we knew that there might be some health challenges but it was from day one of life that it was confirmed it was cancer.
“They said ‘would the three of you like to come down to this little side room?’.
"The chance of it being cancer was so small we didn’t worry about it we thought whatever it is we’ll deal with it when they get there.
"They said ‘I’m ever so sorry, it’s a tumour’.”
Their daughter then had surgery to have a Hickman line fitted at just six weeks old to start her chemotherapy treatment at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.
Now she is two years old and has finished treatment, Brogen wanted to do something to raise money for charity and help other children facing cancer.
Brogen hosted a fundraising day, where her local hairdresser shaved her head.
She has so far raised £6,427 for the two charities.
The 70cm of hair is being donated to The Little Princess Trust and the money raised will be split between them and Young Lives vs Cancer.
A Young Lives vs Cancer Social Worker helped Brogen and her partner Paul throughout treatment.
Last year in Oxford, Young Lives vs Cancer helped 293 young people with cancer and families get the support they needed.
READ MORE: Plans to turn yard near Wallingford into 15 new homes
On average, families of a child with cancer have to pay out £700 extra a month on things like travel, food and clothing.
To help families cope with the costs of cancer, the charity gave out 229 financial grants to the value of £49,816 to young people and families in Oxford.
Rachel Kelly, Fundraising and Engagement Manager at Young Lives vs Cancer, said: "It's incredibly brave of Brogen to shave her head to show support for all of the children and young people who will sadly lose their hair while going through cancer treatment.
"We are so grateful for her support, which will make a huge difference to the lives of those who have been diagnosed."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here