Shaved heads for pal battling brain tumour

PALS of a man who is receiving treatment for an aggressive brain tumour have shaved their heads in solidarity after his hair started falling out.

Recruitment consultant Craig Jacques, 31, from Blackrod, collapsed in the bathroom as he was getting ready for work one morning back in December 2019.

It was later discovered he had a brain tumour. It has since turned more aggressive and Craig is now receiving radiotherapy most mornings before work at The Christie hospital in Didsbury, Manchester - which resulted in him losing his hair three weeks ago.

Now, Rai Hirst, from Horwich, and Colin Meakin from Atherton - who have been pals with Craig for around 14 years - have shaved their heads to support him.

And they are raising money for The Christie in the process, having set up a JustGiving campaign.

Pal Rai Hirst said: "Craig is going through the biggest challenge of his life and fighting it.

“But part of his treatment means he is going to be losing his hair. As mates, we refuse to let him go bald on his own.

“So while he is bald, so will we be and we will do this in aid of the amazing staff at The Christie who are fighting with him.

“Craig is such a kind and quiet gent. He’s so stoic and brave. He’s an amazing guy.”

The Christie charity provides enhanced services over and above what the NHS funds for more than 44,000 cancer patients treated at the hospital every year.

So far, £650 has been raised on the Just Giving page from 43 donors - smashing the original target of £500.

Craig says he is lucky to have the support of wife Kirsty, a teaching assistant, his two-year-old daughter Jessica-Iris and the rest of his family and friends.

He said: “We’ll just have to wait and see what happens, but I know I’m in the care of some of the best doctors and nurses.

“I trust their expertise, and I just have to take each day as it comes.”

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