Teen friends pull inÂ£3,000 for new cancer unit

Four friends have had their heads shaved to raise money for Chesterfield Cancer Unit, pictured after the shave are Jamie Bullars, Chloe Blackband, Gareth Davis, Carter Widdowson and Luke Shorthose Manleys Barbers owner, Jane Walker and Kimberley Spizer

The four from Shirebrook went under the clippers to raise the money for a hospital cancer unit.

Gareth Davis (15) Chloe Blackband (14), Carter Widdowson (16) and Jamie Bullars (16) came up with the idea of having their mops cropped at Manley’s on Victoria Street, and were overwhelmed by the support.

So far the four, who are in years 10 and year 11 at Shirebrook Academy, have raised more than £3,000.

Four friends have had their heads shaved to raise money for Chesterfield Cancer Unit

Tracy Davis, mother of Gareth, said: “They are really pleased with what they have raised, they have organised it all and it’s been amazing how much support they have  had from friends and the school.

“It’s all really appreciated and a big thank you to  everyone who has supported them.”

The money will now go towards the new cancer unit at Chesterfield Royal Infirmary which is scheduled to open later this year.

The new £8.9 million Chesterfield Royal Macmillan Cancer Centre will combine  the current outpatient  chemotherapy and day unit services in one purpose-built centre.

It will have the space and equipment to treat 25 people at one time, a marked improvement on the current oversubscribed capacity of eight.

Tracy: “The reason why they chose this cause is because they have all been affected by cancer, they’ve all known someone who has fought cancer.”

Tracy lost her husband, and Gareth’s dad, Paul Davis, last year to a rare form of kidney cancer.

The 50-year-old was diagnosed a year ago and died in August.

Tracy added: “He had been just so full of life.”