THE courage of York cancer patient Dawn Watts has inspired a barmaid into staging a hair-raising charity event.

Katie Hodgson will get her head shaved next month at the Three Hares in Bilbrough, between York and Tadcaster, to raise money for York Against Cancer.

She said she decided on the venture after Dawn came into the pub for Sunday lunch and they got talking.

The Press has reported previously how Dawn, of Copmanthorpe, has raised more than £30,000 over the past four years for York Against Cancer and other charities, and has also recently raised an additional £23,000 to help fund complementary treatment for herself at a clinic in Spain.

Katie, whose mother Maureen Jeffery owns the Three Hares, said of Dawn: “She is an amazing woman – all that money that she has raised!

“Everybody seems to be affected by cancer either through family or friends, and when I spoke to Dawn, it made it all feel more real.”

Dawn said: “We’ve only met Katie the once but she was so full of fun and excited to be doing the head shave. It should be a great night.”

Katie, who said she was also prompted to act by reading about York Against Cancer’s new mobile chemotherapy unit, has already raised more than £700.

The shave will be part of an evening of fun activities on Saturday November 4, including customers performing in Stars in their Eyes style, and raffles and prize draws.

*People can also donate to Katie’s appeal via www.justgiving.com/fundraising/katie-hodgson6