A RETIRED nurse is taking on a ‘hair-raising’ challenge in aid of cancer support.

Joan Myers, 80, who lives in Hutton-le-Hole, has decided to Brave the Shave on July 10 (Saturday) to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Joan has had first-hand experience of the work that Macmillan nurses do after she was diagnosed with cancer herself. She was told she had lung cancer in April 2008, and six weeks later she underwent surgery.

Brave the Save will not be the first event that Joan has taken part in to raise money for Macmillan.

Joan walked across the Humber Bridge and back with her late husband, Alan, and two grandsons in 2009 and has organised quizzes and a tombola with friends.

“I’ve been raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support for a long time,” she said.

“I walked across the Humber Bridge with my late husband and two grandsons more than a decade ago, which raised an amazing amount of money. However, I recently celebrated my 80th birthday and I am not as fit now.

“I cannot do as much, and it takes a lot of energy. I was recently watching the television and saw an advert about Brave the Shave.

“I thought to myself: ‘I can do that’ and why not try something different.

When asked if she felt nervous, she replied: “Not at all, I want to make a celebration out of it.”

Macmillan Cancer Support provides specialist health care, information and financial support to people affected by cancer. It also looks at the social, emotional and practical impact cancer can have, and campaigns for better care.

“The support Macmillan provides can be invaluable,” added Joan.

“I was diagnosed with cancer in 2008, but I was extremely lucky they caught it early and I got better.

“Talking about what you are going through when you have cancer is such a help, but it can be hard to talk about everything without upsetting your nearest and dearest.

“It is wonderful to have Macmillian as a support network.”

To sponsor Joan, visit https://bravetheshave.macmillan.org.uk/shavers/joan-myers.