A cancer survivor is to brave a head shave today, Saturday, August 26, to mark 30 years since his diagnosis by raising more than £2,000 for charity.
Andy Yates, of Stapenhill, is going bald again to help fund the research which saved his life - and will be joined by his son, Alex, for a sponsored head shave at the New Inn, in Stapenhill.
Andy, who grew up in Rolleston, was just a teenager when he was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer and featured in the Burton Mail at the time, in 1988, towards the end of his 16 months of chemotherapy.
He said: "I was 16 when I was diagnosed in the summer of 1987, and I actually started my chemotherapy 30 years ago this week.
"I had an operation to remove the tumour and affected thigh bone in November 1987, and I finished my chemotherapy in October 1988. I was officially declared cancer-free in October 1993."
Today, he is hoping to raise at least £2,000 for Cancer Research UK.
He said: "We are raising the money for Cancer Research UK to celebrate 30 years since the start of my road to recovery.
"My initial target was £500, but I have raised three times this amount, and it is currently set at £2,000 - we are all but there now too, so I am likely to increase it again. The more we can raise the better - everyone has been so generous, and I am so very grateful."
Now 46, Andy will be joined by his 15-year-old son Alex, who said: "I want to do this because this research also helped save my dad's life. So many people suffer from this horrible disease, and I want to help too."
Andy, who will be going bald again for the first time in 30 years, said: "To be honest - I'm really looking forward to it. It will be a bit odd being bald again, but I am both overwhelmed and immensely proud of the fact that this small gesture by Alex and myself has generated a lot of interest - and more importantly, a lot of money for a charity that is so important to me and my family. My wife Sarah is actually doing the shaving, so it may be more of an ordeal for her."
The head shave will take place at 2pm, today, Saturday, Agusut 25 and if anyone wants to sponsor Andy and Alex they can visit www.justgiving.com/Andy-Yates14. Alternatively, donate up to £10 via text by texting YQJQ71 followed by the amount to 70070.
