A Hitchin hairdresser showed his neighbourly instincts for a friend bravely battling breast cancer by shaving off her hair for charity.

The Comet: Helen Price with Hairdresser, Liam BrownHelen Price with Hairdresser, Liam Brown (Image: Archant)

Liam Brown, from Nightingale Road, cut Helen Price’s hair at his Bucklersbury salon to help raise funds for Stevenage-based Cancer Hair Care – which offers help and support to sufferers.

Helen is undergoing chemotherapy treatment and decided to do the charity chop – aided by her next door neighbour who runs Hair By Liam – after losing some of her hair.

The 52-year-old said: “I got a letter in January asking me along to a mammogram. After I went I received another saying I needed further tests and by early February I was thrust into a strange new world where I was diagnosed with breast cancer – and had my first operation by mid February.”

Specialists conducted biopsies to triangulate where the growths might be, and Helen also had her lymph nodes removed.

The Comet: Helen PriceHelen Price (Image: Archant)

Thankfully – after a series of operations – her breasts are now clear of cancer but, to ensure no further growths in her body, she’s started a course of chemotherapy.

Helen, who’s worked in the voluntary sector for 20 years including helping vulnerable families through the HomeStart scheme, moved to Hitchin in 2014 with her partner Nick Birt. Liam moved in next door soon after and the trio became firm friends.

She said: “Liam came round for a glass of wine the day before my birthday on Monday. Instead of feeling sorry for ourselves we said let’s do something positive and try and raise money for a good cause – and decided he’d cut my hair.

“My message to women who are asked to attend a mammogram is: ‘Don’t ignore mammogram requests. It could be a matter of life and death’.

The Comet: Helen Price and Liam BrownHelen Price and Liam Brown (Image: Archant)

“I have to say a huge thanks to the amazing service provided by the NHS, and the unfailing support from Nick who’s been an absolute rock. I would not have got through this without him – he’s just kept on being there for me.

“Liam has been a boost too. The support provided by him as a kind neighbour as well as being a very talented and charismatic hairdresser.”

The Hair By Liam owner added: “My dear friend Helen would help anyone. She’s kind and giving, and doesn’t deserve this horrible illness. She’s so brave.

“I’m so proud of her and Nick.”

To donatae visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/helenandnickhairshave.

For more information on Hair By Liam, based at 13a Bucklersbury call 01462 434848 or search Hair By Liam for his Facebook page.