A mother is to shave her head in memory of her son, who died from a rare form of bone cancer.

Janet Wheatley, 56, of The Lowe in Chigwell, will be clean shaven at the Nightingale pub in Wanstead on November 21, the ninth anniversary of her son Christopher’s death.

The Caterham High School pupil died at the age of 14 after a battle with Ewing’s sarcoma, 17 months after he was first diagnosed.

Mrs Wheatley plans to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust and donate her hair to a charity which makes wigs for children with cancer.

Family friend Victoria Barton-Fisher, 44, of Clayhall Avenue, Barkingside, hopes the event will raise more money in memory of Christopher, who helped collect over £37,000 for charity while he was alive.

She said: “Christopher was an inspirational and courageous young man. I have never seen bravery quite like it since he passed away.

“It was inspiring to see how strong he stayed throughout his illness. We are always thinking of him and hope to raise more money in his memory.

“Janet never leaves the house on the anniversary of his death so this is something really important to her for a charity really close to our hearts. They provided amazing support to Christopher while he was ill.”

The shaving will start at 9.00pm, with all residents welcome to attend.