'Help me raise funds to fight cancer', says man who saw friends and relatives die from disease.

A WITNEY resident who has seen friends and family affected by cancer has urged others to join him in raising money to fight the disease.

Andy Davies, 51, had already signed up to shave his head for charity when his wife Anne was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this month.

The setback made the IT support technician even more determined to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support and he completed the head shave last Friday.

Mr Davies has seen firsthand the devastating impact of the disease but it first affected his family two years before he was born, when his grandmother Violet passed away in 1965.

In 1992, his best friend Mark Shaw died from the disease age 25, while the daughter of a family friend, Maisie Norton, passed away at just 17 in October 2015.

These experiences meant that when he saw Macmillan's Brave the Shave initiative advertised earlier this year, Mr Davies knew he had to get involved.

He said: "Everyone knows at least one person that has been directly affected by cancer.

"Anyone can be affected by it at any time.

"Even if they didn't want to get their head shaved there might be other things they could do."

Andy Davies was briefly left with a mohican in his head shave.

Mr Davies first raised money for charity in similarly heartbreaking circumstances while serving in the RAF in Germany.

After a friend's baby died of sudden infant death syndrome, also known as cot death, he joined six officers in fundraising for the family.

This time around, Mr Davies is attempting to raise £1,000 for Macmillan by shaving his head and has already received almost £700 in donations.

His ceremonial shaving took place in Two's Company Hairdresser, Witney and Mr Davies was delighted to play his part in a worthy cause.

He said: "The hairdresser left me with a little mohican and joked he'd leave it like that.

"My wife said it looked different but she could get used to it."

Mr Davies is a believer in people's good nature and he was vindicated within seconds of completing the shave.

He said: "I was chatting to a lady and she handed me £5 and an older gentleman overhead and gave me £10 so I went straight to the bank afterwards and added it to the total."

To donate visit bravetheshave.macmillan.org.uk/shavers/andy-davies

Sibling wants to do everything possible for 'inspiring' sister.

WHEN her sister was diagnosed with breast cancer weeks after giving birth, Hayley Walker vowed to do everything she could to help.

The 31-year-old, whose family are from Woodstock, supported younger sibling Charlotte emotionally and now financially by raising more than £2,000 after shaving her head for charity.

One evening earlier this month, Woodstock Barbers opened up their shop specially for the ceremonial shaving, with barber James Talbot doing the honours.

Ms Walker admits she is still getting used to her new look, but insists the charity shave was the least she could do after her sister, 29, received the news.

Hayley Walker, right, with sister Charlotte.

She said: “She’s got a lovely partner and a new baby and things were falling into place.

“There isn’t much you can do to help them feel better and it was awful.”

Ms Walker is still accepting donations for her Brave The Shave and she is planning to complete a Race for Life.

The mum of one is desperate to make a difference and reveals her sister is giving her motivation.

She said: “She’s taken everything in her stride and it’s inspiring to see.”

To donate visit justgiving.com/fundraising/hayley-walker22