KIND-HEARTED colleagues of a mother whose teenage daughter is suffering from a brain tumour have had their heads shaved.
And they have done so to raise money towards a pioneering treatment in the US.
Bailey Coppack, 13, of Mirfield, was diagnosed with a slow-growing brain tumour in 2008.
The tumour grew back after surgery and Bailey’s family were told the best thing was to trial radical proton therapy to kill the growth.
But that was only available in the USA and would cost tens of thousands of pounds.
A big fundraising campaign was launched and the brave youngster has so far spent two months in the US undergoing the pioneering treatment.
Now Denise Campbell, 36, of Salendine Nook, and Martha Chaparanganda, of Leeds, who are both child protection social workers and colleagues of Bailey’s mum Lisa, had their heads shaved at Hair by Trudy in Marsh to do their bit to raise funds.
Denise said: “Having my head shaved felt weird especially as I have always had long hair most of my life.
“Hopefully we have raised more than £1,000.”
With the treatment set to cost £100,000 a large-scale fundraising campaign was launched.
Eventually the NHS agreed to fund the treatment, but the family still had to find thousands of pounds to cover expenses for the trip.
So far more than £30,000 has been raised.
Huddersfield Town joined the fundraising drive and have been supportive throughout, even offering to send players to Bailey’s bedside in hospital in an attempt to cheer her.
In September the Examiner reported that following a routine hospital visit Bailey had also been diagnosed with acute myloid leukaemia, the adult form of the disease.
Her family say the leukaemia is not linked with her tumour and is “just one of those things”.
