VIDEO: Tony Vass gets his head shaved in support of his wife

Tony Vass took the dramatic step at Cream Hairdressers in Little Common after being inspired by seeing the expertise of Macmillan Cancer nurses - at first hand.

His wife Lynda is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer for the second time.

He told the Observer: “Lynda was first diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2006 when we were living in Purley. “After the first shockwaves passed it was surgery within weeks - yes, it all happened very quickly.

“During one of the frequent hospital visits we were introduced to our Macmillan nurse - Jane.

“Her help, support and advice were key to us overcoming the ordeal.

“She quickly became more than our Macmillan nurse - a friend and partner through a period of uncertainty and fear. Well the mastectomy operation and aftercare went very well and after five years of monitoring Lynda received the all clear.

Last year the couple achieved their long-held ambition to move away from Croydon and moved to Bexhill,

He said: What a wonderfully different environment. At times like stepping back forty years - fantastic! Life has taken a real change for the better - yes, even the weather is better down here.

“Then the second bombshell. Just before Christmas a second breast cancer. It felt as though we had returned to square one.

“This time the treatment was carried out by the Conquest Hospital.

“Throughout the treatment this year the staff at Conquest have been brilliant.

“From Ms Shah’s surgical team to the support we are now receiving at the Judy Beard Day Unit (where the chemo treatment is carried out).

“The staff have been caring, considerate and friendly - top class service throughout.

“Well done NHS. Now we are also being looked after wonderfully by the District Nurses from Little Common surgery.

Throughout all this you become aware of the need for support, advice and someone to talk things over with. Macmillan Cancer Support offers all this and more so when Lynda suggested I join her as support for her hair loss the idea of a sponsored hair shave for Macmillan were born.

“I decided I would go ahead (no pun intended!) if I received sponsorship of £100.00.

So emails to friends and family and within half an hour the target was reached. To date my sponsorship stands at £565.00 with more pledged. Thank you so much for such kindness and support.”

Macmillan is currently trying to build a special Cancer Support centre in Brighton to support cancer patients in Sussex, and Tony intends to give them his sponsorship money.

If you would like to contribute visit his sponsorship page at www.justgiving.com/Tony-Vass