A YOUNG Islander whose brother’s hair fell out during cancer treatment has supported his sibling by getting a “lookalike” haircut.
Hautlieu School pupil Ben Collier (18) jumped into the barber’s chair during his lunch to have his head shaved a few months after his brother Alex was diagnosed with a high-grade spindle cell sarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer.
Ben said that as well as giving his 24-year-old brother something to chuckle about, and take his mind off a gruelling cycle of chemotherapy, the shaving stunt was designed to raise funds for three charities: the Teenage Cancer Trust, CLIC Sargent and Jersey Cancer Relief.
An initial £1,000 target has been reached, and subsequently doubled, with the latest total seeing more than £1,200 collected.
Writing on his Just Giving page, Ben paid tribute to the work of his chosen charities.
“We couldn’t have begun to get through this without them,” he said. “Teenage Cancer Trust provided Alex with a comforting ward that makes his weeks in Southampton hospital bearable as he suffers through multiple biopsies, tests, scans, injections and his chemo.
“CLIC Sargent and Jersey Cancer Relief are local charities who have helped pay for expenses, such as travel and hotel costs.”
Ben’s formerly flowing locks also formed part of the “proceeds” of the stunt, with the hair being collected and donated to the Little Princess Trust, which provides wigs to those who have suffered hair loss.
Two of his school friends from Hautlieu also had their heads shaved at the same time.
Describing his older brother as “an amazing person who has brought joy into the lives of his colleagues and friends with his uplifting personality”, Ben added: “Alex doesn’t smoke or vape; he’s a relatively active and healthy person, which goes to show cancer can affect anyone, and that is the scariest part.”
The boys’ mother, Jackie Collier, has written about the family’s experience since Alex received his initial diagnosis earlier this year in a feature published in the print and online editions of today’s JEP.
Anyone wishing to donate should visit justgiving.com/page/ben-collier-1727903842776.
