As gestures by best friends go, Jacky Mitchell was ready to show her utmost support for breast cancer sufferer Caroline Bunning.
Caroline (38) started four months of radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment on Wednesday.
So the night before, Caroline pre-empted losing her hair by shaving it off – and Jacky followed suit.
Jacky (28) said: “Caroline was told that she would lose her hair three weeks into the treatment.
“She has always been so supportive to me, one of the truly greatest friends anyone could ever wish for.
“I wanted to help her and I wanted to take this all away but I couldn’t. The only thing I could do was to be there for her, support her and most importantly make her laugh.”
The pair’s head shave has so far raised about £2,400, through a Just Giving webpage.
Caroline, who has been best friends with Jacky for about 12 years, was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer. Fortunately it had been spotted early and she had a lump removed immediately.
When Caroline broke the news of her cancer, Jacky was stunned and she too needed support. It came from Caroline.
Jacky said: “She explained everything to me and in the first couple of weeks it was Caroline who was my rock.
“She has always shown me so much love and support and she’s truly an inspiration to me and many of our friends.
“With Caroline, it’s all about having fun and enjoying life – and that is infectious.”
Jacky set up the Just Giving page in aid of Breast Cancer Care.
“The response was amazing,” she said. “Boosted by the wonders of social networking websites, our target of £1,000 was smashed within five days.
“Friends of both mine and Caroline donating generously and left so many messages of support.
“We raised our fundraising target to £1,500 and this was reached in another five days.”
On Tuesday the shave went ahead and the duo posted pictures online. It led to another £700 being pledged.
Jacky said: “We were in tears, we could not believe the generosity and support from everyone that had donated and left messages.
“It was the perfect way to prepare for her first dose of treatment the following day.”
If you wish to donate, please visit our Just Giving Page: www.justgiving.com/jacky-mitchell2
