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A TEENAGER from Chippenham who has been diagnosed with cancer is appealing for people to join her in a sponsored head shave in aid of charity.

Rebecca Oatley, 18, from Barons Mead, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma earlier this year and is now a third of the way through her treatment.

Tomorrow, at the Emery Gate Shopping Centre in Chippenham, the teenager and her family and friends will be having their heads shaved and legs waxed in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Her mother Domi, father Dean, 13-year-old brother Dean, as well as friends, have all signed up to the challenge.

Miss Oatley wants others suffering from hair loss as a result of cancer or alopecia to have a positive attitude towards it.

She said: "It is a great way to promote and support the Teenage Cancer Trust and running the event has personally helped my self confidence.

"I now find it easy to talk to strangers about my cancer and promote cancer treatment as a positive way to get better instead of a negative sad process.

"It also made me realise what a great community spirit there is in Chippenham."

Miss Oatley worked for Centre Stage Hair and Beauty in Chippenham before being diagnosed with the illness and having to leave.

She will be carrying out the headshave on volunteers with another stylist and close friend Becky Hornett.

Another friend, who is a beautician, will be doing the leg waxing.

The teenager was diagnosed with cancer after lymph nodes in her neck were picked up during a hearing test.

She is now undergoing treatment at the Royal United Hospital in Bath.

Tomorrow's event, which runs from 10am until 4pm, will include a display of raffle prizes donated by local businesses.

Raffle tickets will be sold on the day and drawn at 4pm.

Miss Oatley and her friends will also be selling Teenage Cancer Trust wristbands.

The event is hoped to raise between £1,000 and £2,000.

Some of Miss Oatley's male friends have signed up for the leg waxing and members of the public can sign up for that or the head shave on the day too.

For more information call 07736 045942.

3:00pm Friday 18th July 2008

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