A DEVOTED sister is shaving her head as a mark of respect for her brother who was recently diagnosed with cancer.

Helen Petrie, who works as a playgroup supervisor at St Winefride’s Catholic Primary School in Holywell, is doing the sponsored head shave at the school’s summer fair on Friday, July 9.

Two months ago her brother Clive Egerton, who lives in Rhyl, but is originally from Holywell, was diagnosed with an acute form of leukaemia.

Helen, 45, told the Leader: “He went to the doctors because he felt unwell and within a week he was having his treatment.

“Within a couple of weeks his hair started falling out and he lost his beard and his moustache. I don’t ever remember him without one, so I felt compelled to shave my head because I couldn’t think of anything else to do or say to help him.

“I wanted to show him how much I love him.”

Helen, who lives in Carmel, is intending to use the proceeds to buy home comforts such as mini-fridges and CD players for patients in the cancer unit at Glan Clwyd Hospital where Clive is being treated.

“I just wanted to buy them some things that will make their days a little bit more comfortable,” she added.

Clive, 53, is currently undergoing a course of chemotherapy and doctors say he is making good progress.

Early bone marrow tests show that the cancer has gone into remission.

One of the mums at the school will be shaving Helen’s head at the summer fair which starts at 3.15pm. If you would like to sponsor Helen call the school on 01352 713182.