A SWINDON mum whose world has been 'turned upside down' by cancer will shave her head this weekend in show of solidarity with fellow sufferers.

Collette De-Rozario, 36, from Abbeymeads, is holding a ‘pity shave’ at the Deers Leap pub in Penhill on Sunday (2.30pm).

With the support of family and friends, Collette will donate her hair to The Little Princess Trust. The trust provides real hair wigs to young people up to the age of 24 who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment and other conditions.

Collette said: “I don’t want my children watching me every day, waking up with my hair falling out. That will be upsetting for them. And it makes me feel better that by doing this, although I am going to lose my hair, I can help someone else too.”

The activities coordinator at Ridgeway Rise care home found out in 2016 that she had the Faulty Brca1 gene, meaning her risk of developing breast cancer was significantly higher than it is for most women.

After a period of regular testing and scans, Collette was diagnosed with the disease this year.

She said: “To say I was devastated is an understatement, this turned the world right upside down for my children, my friends, my family and myself.I always knew that it was a possibility because I have a high risk of developing cancer. But you never think you will be the one to get it.”

The idea for the event came from a conversation with other women on a Facebook group who are part of the same clinical trial Collette has been asked to partake in.

“I just asked them what they are doing and how they are coping with all this, and they suggested I donate my hair to the charity,” she said.

“Doing this is more of a confidence boost too – losing my hair surrounded by close friends and family. Because you do fear what you will look like and how people are going to look at you now."

The charity asked Collette to donate her hair before her treatment starts, as chemotherapy damages hair so that it cannot be made into a wig.

“This seemed a great opportunity to raise awareness of this great charity," she added.

"Although everyone talks about cancer it still really is a taboo subject. But just talk about it, talk about your fears because if you don’t, it’s a lonely journey.

The Deers Leap will host various activities, including a tombola, raffle and cake sale as well as live music, from 2pm to raise money for the charity.