Brave young student is inspiration for Burnley dance school owner to 'brave the shave'

Helen Cheung shaved off her lovely auburn hair, that reached past her shoulders, on Sunday.

But she wasn't alone as her husband, Simon, a project manager for Emerson and Renwick in Accrington, also shaved his hair off and so far the couple have raised £2,665 and counting for the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.

The money will be added to the staggering £126,000 that Freddie Xavi, who is nine, has already raised by running 100km.

Clarets fan Freddie decided he wanted to do something to help the hospital as his best mate, Hughie Higginson, is receiving treatment there for leukaemia.

Ten-year-old Hughie, who is a pupil at Wheatley Lane Primary School, Fence, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in September. The brave youngster faces three-and-a-half years of treatment at RMCH.

Hughie is also a student at Helen's Encore Dance School, which has studios in Burnley and Colne.

Helen who is 33, said: "In normal times we would have held a fund raising concert but as covid prevented us we had to come up with something completely different that didn't take away from what Freddie had achieved.

"Simon suggested a sponsored head shave so I said yes I was up for that but I told him he had to do it with me.

"While it was definitely more of a sacrifice for me, Simon was happy to do it."

Simon's sister, Lisa, performed the honours live on facebook on Sunday afternoon. And Helen is donating her tresses to the Little Princess Trust that makes wigs for children with life limiting illnesses.

Aswell as wanting to support Hughie and Freddie, who attends Whalley Primary School, the RMCH holds a special place in the couple's hearts.

For they had IVF treatment at St Mary's Hospital, which is on the same site. And in May last year they welcomed their little boy Bryce into the world.

If you would like to donate to Helen and Simon's headshave please click HERE