A woman is sacrificing her locks to support her mum undergoing chemotherapy.

Vena Lawrence of Balmoral Road, Gillingham, discovered a lump in her breast in November and got it checked out immediately.

The 53-year-old was diagnosed with breast cancer and has had an operation to remove the lump, but is now about to go through four months of chemotherapy to zap any remaining cancerous cells.

In anticipation of her hair falling out, the mum-of-three is going to shave it all off at a fundraiser today (Saturday) and daughter Katheryn has pledged to have her precious locks shaved off at the same time.

Husband and dad Alan said: “I can’t believe she’s doing it, but Katheryn wanted to support her mum at what is a very emotional time, and raise the profile of checking yourself regularly.

“So many people find lumps but don’t do anything until the cancer has moved to another organ or to bone and it’s often too late to successfully treat.”

The 57-year-old added: “Vena’s surgeon told her straight away, ‘it is cancer, but you are going to be ok’.

“She still has to go through the trauma of chemo, but she saved her life by acting quickly.”

The Bald is Beautiful fundraiser will be from 8pm at the Medway Maritime Hospital Social Club on the hospital site, where Vena was working as a nurse before her treatment.

“I’m so proud of Katheryn for supporting me in this way" - Vena Lawrence

Medway musicians The Only Sun Band, Crybaby Special, Unknown Report and The Pink Mothers will be performing, as well as children’s entertainer Mr Muddles.

A football signed by the Gills’ players, a signed Squeeze CD and other prizes will be raffled before the main event.

Mr Lawrence, who also worked for the NHS as a psychiatric nurse and is now a consultant and teacher, said: “Everybody is welcome to come along, it’s free to get in but we will have a collection box on the bar for people to donate any change.

“We would like to thank the NHS for the superb service we received.”

All proceeds will be donated to Breast Cancer Care.

Mrs Lawrence, a grandmother of two with another on the way, added: “I’m so proud of Katheryn for supporting me in this way.”