Nephew is in the pink to show aunt support (From Oxford Mail)

Nephew is in the pink to show aunt support

12:00pm Friday 14th December 2012 in Bicester By Sam McGregor, covering Bicester. Call me on 01869 250197

WHEN James McAleer’s aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer he felt helpless. But he decided to use his head.

Well his hair, beard and moustache to be exact.

He dyed the lot bright pink to raise cash for Cancer Research UK.

Thankfully his aunt, Steph Rushby, is now recovering and hopes to get the all-clear next May.

Mother-of-four Mrs Rushby, of Ray Road, Bicester, said: “I think it looks great, I’m really proud of him. Not many lads his age would dye their hair pink and keep it like that for a month.”

Mrs Rushby was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2007 and the past five years have been tough for the entire extended family.

Grandmother Mrs Rushby, who works at Bicester Defence Storage and Distribution Centre, had chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy, and has been on medication for more than a year.

She said: “I’m still having treatment, but I get discharged next year, which will be wonderful.

“It has been hard, especially all the treatment. But I have had lots of support from my family, my husband and children and nieces and nephews, and that has made it bearable. You either give in or carry on fighting.”

Before he could go pink, Mr McAleer, 35, had to dye his dark brown locks blonde – and then last Saturday, in front of family and friends at the Kings Arms Pub, in Market Square, his hair took on the shade of shocking pink.

Now the Unipart delivery driver plans to leave his hair pink for the next month.

Mr McAleer, of Blake Road in Bicester, said: “It was the feeling of helplessness on all fronts. I and my aunt Steph had always been close and it was the worry of not knowing all the time.

“I had wanted to do something for a couple of years, so I just sat and thought and thought about it. All I knew was it had to be something to do with pink.

“People are out there every day trying to find ways to cure it or fight it, so I see this as something to help them along the way.

“If a lot more people came together and did stuff for the charity it would be brilliant.”

He hopes to raise about £1,000 for Cancer Research UK.

• Sponsor forms are available at the Kings Arms Pub.

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