A Holyhead Tesco employee is having her head shaved after being inspired by a colleague to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

Tina Hodgson will be having her head shaved by her colleague Dona Williams on August 21, in an event organised by the community champion at Tesco Holyhead, Annetta Davey.

Dona Williams returned to work at the Tesco Extra store in Penrhos Industrial Estate last September after being diagnosed with bowel cancer at the beginning of the year.

After spotting blood in her stool over a period of a few months in 2020, and getting increasingly unwell, Dona was taken into A&E in January 2021 where following tests and scans she was found to have two large tumours which were blocking her bowel.

She had surgery in early February, and was able to go home two weeks later.

North Wales Chronicle: Dona, who overcame cancer and has since raised thousands for Cancer Research with her colleagues.Dona, who overcame cancer and has since raised thousands for Cancer Research with her colleagues.

Following chemotherapy, she was able to return to work later in the year – and was welcomed back with open arms by her colleagues.

In January, Dona and two friends – Holly Owen and Lynn Evans – decided to take a freezing cold dip in the sea, and in March Dona and Lynn decided to take on the same challenge every day, raising £2,214 for Cancer Research UK along the way.

And in March, members of the Tesco Extra Holyhead team took on the Race for Life, raising another £3,000.

Next June, Dona and company plan to take on the Relay for Life to raise even more.

Dona said: “Without life-saving research I wouldn’t be here today, so I’m on a mission to raise funds so that people can live longer with their loved ones – and I’m really grateful to Tina for braving the shave.

“My advice to other people is to always check their poo as it could save their life, and if they think there is a problem, not to ignore it and hope it goes away.

MORE: Charity appeals for Gwynedd special needs families to road-test North Wales attractions

“I’m getting stronger every day now, thanks to my amazing strong husband Gareth and my children, family and friends who have been on the journey with me all the way and have pulled me through.

“I will never stop fighting to raise awareness, cancer will not win, and one day we will stop this vile disease for good.”

Tina, who will be having her head shaved, said: “After what Dona has been through over the last couple of years, having my head shaved is a really small gesture to show how much she means to all of us, and to raise awareness and funds for Cancer Research UK.”

If you would like to donate to Tina’s Brave the Shave, visit https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/tinas-head-shave.