Arlene’s headshave tribute to her sister raises £1,120 for cancer research

A Somercotes woman has raised £1,120 for cancer research by shaving her head in memory of the sister she lost to the disease.

Arlene Flight, 52, says she has been overwhelmed by the response to her fund-raising tribute to Andrea Robinson.

Donations flooded in from well-wishers both before and after Arlene’s hair was shaved off by her friend hairdresser Diane Twiggs at Hair Charm in Swanwick Road, Leabrooks.

Arlene said: “Now the last collecting tin has come in, I am absolutely thrilled with the final total.

“When I started this, I never dreamed I would be able to raise so much money, but people have been really brilliant.”

All of the cash raised through Arlene’s efforts will now be handed over to charity Cancer Research UK.

Arlene continued: “I’m sure the charity will be very grateful and my sister Andrea would be very proud. I hope it helps towards finding a cure for this awful disease.

“I would like say a massive thank you to everyone who has supported me and gave so generously.”

Andrea of Riddings, was 57 when she died in April following a 14-year battle with her illness.

The sisters were extremely close and Arlene decided shaving her own head in exchange for sponsorship was a fitting way to honour Andrea‘s memory.

Arlene had twice shaved Andrea’s hair as she underwent courses of chemotherapy. Arlene is pictured with husband Kevin shortly after the headshave.