A PAIR of friends are set to brave the shave to honour a friend who died after a brave battle with ovarian cancer.

Elizabeth Britton, 52, of Harbour Crescent, Dovercourt, died in December after a short battle with cancer.

Her cancer was first discovered on a paddleboarding trip in August when Elizabeth felt pain in her stomach.

When she went to the hospital the next day, a cyst was found in her ovary and she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and sepsis.

Gazette: School buddies - Laura Ashworth, Elizabeth Britton, Nikki Evans, Sarah Atkinson and Jo WhittinghamSchool buddies - Laura Ashworth, Elizabeth Britton, Nikki Evans, Sarah Atkinson and Jo Whittingham

In September Elizabeth had a full hysterectomy and her first chemo session was in November.

She was saddened by the prospect of losing her hair so lifelong friend Nikki Evans promised she wouldn’t go through the ordeal by herself.

Nikki, 51, of Bathside, is a support worker for adults with learning disabilities, she has been friends with Elizabeth since nursery and viewed her as a sister.

Nikki said: “We’ve been through a lot over the years, she’s helped me out with my depression was a very loyal and trustworthy friend.

“We shared a great love of music and films and had a very strange sense of humour that stuck throughout the years.”

Annie Farthing, 54, of Dovercourt, is a director for a customs clearance company, she is also shaving her head in memory of Elizabeth.

She said: “I worked with Liz many years ago and we struck up a friendship.

“When I left we didn’t see each other for a while but reconnected at another workplace, I was really saddened to hear of her passing.”

Gazette: Best friends - Elizabeth and Nikki on a trip to LondonBest friends - Elizabeth and Nikki on a trip to London

Elizabeth was due to have her second bout of chemotherapy on December 4 but fell ill the day before and ended up in hospital, when she found out her cancer was terminal.

She passed away on December 12.

Nikki and Annie will shave their heads on March 6 at an event organised by Elizabeth’s family and friends.

The event will take place at Dovercourt Boating Lake courtesy of Clacton Kayaks and in support of Ovarian Cancer Action.

The day will have live music from bands, raffles, food and drink and other donations.

Nikki, Annie and all the event’s organisers would like to thank everyone for their donations and support.

You can donate to Nikki’s fundraiser via https://bit.ly/3I9OjAD.