A woman who lost her mother to breast cancer just weeks before she was diagnosed with the same illness is to shave her head in support of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Liz Tyler has recently undergone two operations as part of her treatment and starts chemotherapy and radiotherapy shortly.

She, and sister-in-law Vicki Helstrip, chose to support the charity as a thank you for all the support its nurses gave to her mother, Marion, who died in January.

The 55-year-old was diagnosed earlier this year following a routine mammogram which showed she had the early stages of breast cancer.

Liz, of Halesworth Crescent, Holme Wood, Bradford, is due to start chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment shortly, so she has decided to shave off her long hair the day before she starts treatment. In support, her sister-in-law Vicki, 38, also of Holme Wood, is to shave her hair too.

Liz said: “At the start of the year I was nursing my mum as she had breast cancer. After she died and I came back down from Scotland I had a letter to go for a mammogram. Another letter then arrived, saying they had found something and I needed a biopsy.

The cancer was in the early stages and I’ve had two operations since then and am due to start chemo soon.

“I was going to do some fundraising for Macmillan anyway because their nurses did so much for my mum. So when they told me my hair was going to fall out with the treatment, I thought I would do it first.

“We both have very long hair, so thought we could also donate the hair to be made into wigs for children with cancer.”

Vicki, full-time carer for disabled partner Richard Stewart, added: “She said because her hair is going to fall out anyway, she will shave her head and so I said I would do it to support her.

“I put something on Facebook the other weekend, and we’ve already raised £200.”

To sponsor the pair, call Vicki on 07513 528536.