MP backs courageous fund-raisers

Natalie Haynes will be doing the shave with her friend Vicky Harrison for Pancreatic Cancer UK during the half time interval at the game between Blackpool and Shrewsbury on Saturday, February 13.

Natalie, who’s mum Linda passed away in 2013, has sought the support of Gordon, after he helped Linda and the family during her battle with the illness.

Gordon said: “I am delighted to support Natalie in her fundraising efforts – she is an incredibly brave and courageous person for doing this and I hope others can get behind her in raising money for what is such an important cause.

“I have known in the past people who have had Pancreatic Cancer and I remember the case of Natalie’s mum very well – you cannot help but be moved by the struggle Linda and her family went through as she battled this horrible illness.”

Pancreatic cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the pancreas grow out of control, forming a mass of tissue called a tumour. It can occur in the head, body or tail of the pancreas.

Despite being the fifth most common cause of cancer death, Pancreatic Cancer receives less than one per cent of cancer research spend per a year.

Natalie explained: “Pancreatic Cancer UK is a charity very close to my heart - they helped my mother through her toughest times to make it as comfortable as possible. They are however a little known charity and it is a less talked about form of cancer, even though it has the lowest survival rate of just five per cent.

“By braving the shave, myself and my friend Vicky hope to raise awareness and hopefully £1,000 for this charity, which will help fund a one to one nurse for someone else going through this, and hopefully help towards new research.”

The time of the shave will coincide with “Call Everybody Dave Day” on Monday, which honours the actor Roger Lloyd Pack, star of Only Fools and Horses, who also died from the illness.

You can visit Natalie and Vicky’s page by going to https://www.justgiving.com/Natalieandvicky4pancreaticcancer