A MUM suffering from cancer says she has had "the most positive experience in such a negative time" thanks to a Billericay hairdresser.
Clare Alexander, 37, was diagnosed with breast cancer in March and is currently undergoing chemotherapy.
She says she has been helped through her battle by the owner of High Street salon Essensuals, Jim Shaw, who works in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support to offer hair care for people with cancer.
Miss Alexander recalled how she went for an initial consultation with Mr Shaw two weeks before her chemotherapy started.
She said: "He brought me a choice of wigs and explained that he can restyle them into however I wanted.
"I loved his attitude – he was sympathetic, but not too much, and he was funny too – I like his humour."
Miss Alexander who lives with her eight-year-old son Josh and partner Steve Chambers, 41, explained that the next time she went to the salon she had her hair cut shorter to begin getting used to the change.
Two weeks ago she returned to Essensuals once her chemotherapy had started and her hair had started to fall out.
She said: "He shaved my hair off – it was sad but Jim made the best of this bad situation.
"The girls working at the salon were lovely too. Because I'm a youngish woman it was nice to go somewhere modern like this and stylish.
"Jim does great work and I haven't had to pay for his services, just the wig, and they don't make a profit from these sales."
Miss Alexander, of Chelmsford, said her wig was inexpensive at £150 when compared to the prices at other salons and shops, which can be as much as £500.
She continued: "Losing your hair is psychologically traumatic but I've been able to get over it quite well because of Jim.
"I am feeling positive and am thrilled with my wig – people haven't noticed it's not my own hair.
"You can style it and put it up and it's not fixed.
"The service he offers is a brilliant thing and I would recommend it to anyone.
"I will definitely be going back to Jim – he's in the final five for British Hairdresser of the Year so hopefully I'll still be able to get an appointment."
Mr Shaw has been a hairdresser for 30 years and has been offering the service for those who have or have had cancer for two years.
This was after he trained with Macmillan on how to look after clients with cancer.
The 47-year-old said: "It's great to be able to help people – they are always so grateful.
"I have had letters from a son saying thank you for making my mum feel so special which was lovely.
"It's a rewarding thing to do and I am so glad I finished my training and can offer the service.
"I am inundated with requests for the service and have met so many lovely people."
