Somercotes woman’s fund-raising tribute to memory of sister who lost battle with cancer

Andrea Robinson died earlier this year, aged 57, following a 14-year battle with the illness.

While undergoing two courses of chemotherapy treatment, Andrea decided to shave her head as her hair began to fall out, and asked sister Arlene Flight to help.

Now Arlene (52) has decided shaving her own head in exchange for sponsor money is the perfect way to honour the memory of Andrea who she describes as her “best friend”.

She said: “It was devastating losing Andrea and I’ve not been able to get her out of my head. I just desperately wanted to do something for her and this seemed right as shaving her head when she started to lose her hair is something I did for her.

“I’ve been absolutely blown away by the generous response and already £600 has been pledged for Cancer Research UK.”

Andrea, of Riddings, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999 and subsequently underwent chemotherapy followed by drug treatment.

Sadly, in September 2012 a scan revealed the disease had spread. Despite undergoing further chemotherapy, Andrea died in April of this year in Derby Royal Hospital with her family by her bedside. She left a husband Peter and daughter Melanie.

Arlene, of Langley Avenue, Somercotes, said her sister faced her illness with great courage.

“Andrea was very brave. All she could think of was other people and, despite feeling ill, she’d ring me to ask if I was all right,” commented Arlene.

Arlene’s friend hairdresser Diane Twiggs will host the fund-raiser at Hair Charm, the salon she owns in Swanwick Road, Leabrooks, on 7th December.

To sponsor Arlene visit https://www.facebook.com/arlene.flight