A familiar face returned to Church Street this week supporting a cancer charity fundraiser to start in style.

Donna Sayce Allen has re-opened the hairdressing salon ‘Chop Shop’ after working elsewhere for two years and she welcomed the family of cancer sufferer Kate Palmer to take part in the Macmillan Cancer Support ‘Brave the Shave’.

50-year-old Kate had been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and is unable to have chemotherapy to destroy the cancer cells in her body.

Kate, from Ebbw Vale, chose the Chop Shop as she has connections with Monmouth and is a friend of Donna’s.

Diagnosed with a Thymoma cancer in July of this year, Kate had a major operation in June when a tumour meant part of her lung had to be removed and wanting to give something back, Kate decided to have her head shaved, raising over £900 in four weeks, smashing her target of £300.

Her four children, Tobie, Lucy, Benjamin and Zak Alexander, all took part in helping mum to ‘Brave the Shave’ watched by other family members and friends who have supported Kate through her ordeal.

Kate said she had endured six months until doctors in the Royal Gwent and the Heath - where she had her operation - had discovered that it was “and I just found out on Wednesday that my mum also has just been diagnosed with cancer for the third time.

“It’s a very emotional time for me and as everyone who knows me, my hair is me so this is a big thing for me”.

Kate joked that she had breakfast in Wetherspoons that morning and was going back there to have a drink and wondered if they would recognise her now!

She’s going to Velindre now in December for a scan “and then it’s the next steps from there.”

Donna said that she had known the family for years and it was a “great honour to be asked by Kate and family to be the person to shave her head: Se is a very brave strong woman”.

If anyone wants to donate to Kate’s fundraiser, go to bravetheshave.macmillan.org.uk/shavers/kate-palmer