A CARING daughter whose bright hair is a fundamental part of her personality is preparing to brave the shave after being inspired by her mum.
Marie Anbouche, of Boxted, will be shaving off her pretty pink locks after she was left in awe of her courageous mum’s brain tumour journey.
The 43-year-old has tasked her son, Archie, 20, and daughter, Rosie, 14, to arm themselves with razors and chop off her long colourful hair following a charity pub quiz and raffle at The Queen’s Head, in West Bergholt.
Her selfless efforts will help to raise vital funds for Brain Tumour Research during what is to be a challenge for the mum-of-two.
She said: “It was a little bit daunting to start with but I’m really excited about it now because of all the support we’ve had – I’m really looking forward to it.
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“I do think it’s going to be a big deal for me because I’ve always had bright hair which is a massive part of my personality, so it’s going to be scary and strange.”
Marie’s mum, Linda Dilliway, of West Bergholt, was diagnosed with a low-grade cerebral meningioma in 1997 after suffering from balance problems and noticing her face start to droop.
The 68-year-old has since undergone multiple brain operations, the most recent one lasting 14 hours and now walks with the use of a frame.
“Mum’s amazing but having a brain tumour has really taken it out of her, especially her last operation, which has been really debilitating,” added Marie.
“Her tumour is right in the centre of her brain, on both sides, and is touching her spinal cord so when she had her first surgery I remember not being able to recognise her because her face looked so different.
“Brain tumours are evil things.”
Marie, who works for metal finishing company Halstead Plating Services, is hoping to raise enough money to fund at least one day of research at a Brain Tumour Research’s centre of excellence and is only about £800 shy of the £2,740 needed.
“I’ve been so overwhelmed by everyone’s love and support,” she said.
“I was so emotional and just kept crying when I saw how much had been raised already.
“I find it shocking how many people suffer from brain tumours, especially as so many are kids, it’s awful.
“I just don’t understand why it’s so underfunded, which is why doing this is so important to me.”
Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer yet historically just one per cent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this form of cancer.
Charlie Allsebrook, community development manager for Brain Tumour Research, said: “We’re really grateful to Marie for all her support in helping us to fund vital research into brain tumours and for her courageous commitment to brave the shave for us.
“Her friends have gifted her with an array of headscarves and head jewellery and we look forward to seeing how she uses them to represent her personality once her hair is gone.
“We wish Linda all the best for the future and remain committed to doing what we can to prevent others from having to face this devastating disease.”
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