A Helston teacher fundraising for charity as she fights advanced cancer has completed her charity head shave supported by family and friends.

Clair Day described her 'Brave the Shave' moment at Minnie's Hair Studio in town as being able to find the "silver lining", having so far raised more than £6,000 for Bowel Cancer UK and Your Voice Cornwall.

With intensive chemotherapy causing increasing hair loss, Clair made the decision to go all out and shave her head, while raising as much money for charity as possible in the process.

 

Clair with Fern from Minnies Hair Studio after the shave

Clair with Fern from Minnie's Hair Studio after the shave

 

It was in July this year that 47-year-old Clair, a food technology teacher at Helston Community College for the last 15 years, went to a routine endoscopy and colonoscopy to find out why she had been suffering from tummy pains for several weeks.

Thinking it would just be a stomach ulcer, it was discovered that sadly she had bowel cancer, which was later found to be stage four and classed as terminal, having spread to other parts of her body.

Told she had six months to live, she began palliative care chemotherapy – but the mum of three vowed to fight the tumours with everything she had.

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And today, at the head shave, Clair revealed that at a hospital appointment yesterday she had been told the chemotherapy is working and her tumours are starting to shrink. Her goal is for them to shrink enough to make surgery possible.

Thanking everyone who had sent cards, good wishes, or donated to the fundraising, Clair said: "I'm totally overwhelmed by the support from everyone; the love and the kindness that has been shown towards me, and my family and children.

"Raising over £6,000 is totally above anything I could ever imagine. I think my target is still set up for £500, and I thought that was pushing it!"

 

Clair has a range of woolly hats and wigs to keep her head warm through winter

Clair has a range of woolly hats and wigs to keep her head warm through winter

 

To donate to Bowel Cancer UK click here or visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com and search 'Clair Day', and to donate to Your Voice Cornwall visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/natasha-long-1

Clair was supported at her head shave today by family members and many friends, including from work and the Culdrose Military Wives Choir she sings with.

 

The first stroke of the newly shaved head!

The first stroke of the newly shaved head!

Clairs first glimpse of her new look

Clair's first glimpse of her new look

Clair has raised thousands for charity

Clair has raised thousands for charity