THE BEST friend of a woman undergoing cancer treatment at Dorset County Hospital is using her head to support local cancer patients.

Rosy Baker is braving the shave to raise funds for the hospital's Cancer Appeal, which will improve treatment for all cancer patients in west, north and south Dorset.

Inspired by her best friend Jackie Foster, who lives in Broadmayne, Rosy is aiming to raise £1,000 and is already half way towards her target.

She will be saying farewell to her locks on Sunday, October 2 in Dorchester.

Rosy said: "One of my bestest buddies is currently receiving treatment for cancer at Dorset County Hospital and the charity is very close to her heart.

"Sadly in this day and age I'm sure many of you reading this have been affected by cancer in some way or another and it's certainly a difficult road to travel.

"Any donations we make to this worthwhile charity will hopefully make future journeys for others that little bit easier.

"I thank you in advance for any donation, no matter how small, you choose to make.

"I know my hair is already short, but hopefully my show of solidarity with the many brave people currently receiving this life saving treatment will encourage you to dig deep!"

The Dorset County Hospital's Charity’s Cancer Appeal, which is being backed by the Dorset Echo, is seeking to raise £1.75 million to support the provision of radiotherapy services at the Dorchester site.

So far the appeal is more than a quarter of the way towards its target.

Funds raised will go towards providing a bespoke outpatients department on top of the radiotherapy building, with rooms for counselling and consultancy. It will also fund major improvements to the chemotherapy unit.

Head of fundraising Andrew House said: “We’ve had very generous support through 2016 taking our total up to £460,000.

"Rosy is a wonderful example of our supporters who are so generous and imaginative in their fundraising."

He added: "This project will transform the experience of cancer patients, reducing travel times and the associated stress, providing better facilities and counselling and support during such difficult times."

The Cancer Appeal is supporting a major project with Poole Hospital to bring radiotherapy services to Dorchester for the first time, with patients currently having to travel to Poole.

Lead cancer nurse at Dorset County Hospital Abi Orchard said: “This project is a golden opportunity. The new facilities will also improve chemotherapy facilities providing private and soundproofed areas for patient consultations and space for relatives or friends to sit with chemotherapy patients during treatment."

Planning permission has now been received for the new radiotherapy bunkers and in the coming weeks the prefabricated building that currently occupies the site will be taken down and the contents moved to another part of the hospital.

Work will then begin on the radiotherapy bunkers.

For more information about the appeal and to donate to Rosy's effort call 01305 253215 or visit dchft.nhs.uk/charity

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