Rye man braves the shave in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support

Bill Davey, 52, of King’s Avenue, Rye, has so far raised more than £130 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The fundraiser is close to his heart as Bill is currently battling the disease after being diagnosed with cancer last year.

Bill, who nearly died, took part in Macmillan Cancer Support’s Brave the Shave campaign recently at Rye Barbers in Cinque Ports Street.

He said: “I would like to say thank you to everybody who donated to Macmilllan, as this will make a lot of difference to many people suffering with this horrible disease.

“I would also like to thank Rye Barbers for hosting a brilliant morning. Skinners of Rye has also supported us well in sponsorship.”

Bill’s battle with bowel cancer started in January last year when he was diagnosed with a large tumour in his transverse colon tube.

The tumour was removed but the reconstruction of his bowel failed, leading him to suffer from sepsis.

“As a result, I ended up in intensive care on life support for more than two weeks,” Bill said.

A colostomy then had to be done, which is a surgical operation where the colon is shortened to remove a damaged part and the cut end diverted to an opening in the abdominal wall.

But Bill suffered further complications and sepsis, leaving him in hospital for a further five months, following another operation.

He was fitted with a vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) pump to heal the wounds.

Bill was cared for by community nurses every other day.

This month, Bill, who works for railway engineering company Atkins, is due to undergo a major operation at St Mark’s Hospital in Harrow, north London.

He will be having a skin graft to his abdomen, as well as reconstructive surgery to it. Afterwards, he will need chemotherapy.

Bill praised the support Macmillan, his colleagues at work, and the Sara Lee Trust have given him and his family, throughout his ordeal with cancer.

Anyone wishing to donate to Bill’s cause still can by logging onto bravetheshave.org.uk/shavers/bill-davey.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.ryeandbattleobserver.co.uk/

2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RyeandBattleObserver

3) Follow us on Twitter @RyeObs

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Rye and Battle Observer - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.