THREE Forest footballers are gearing up to have their heads shaved on World Cancer Day in support of a teammate who was diagnosed with the illness last year.

Julie Nicholas was told she had grade three breast cancer in September after forming a close-knit bond with her new teammates at Mitcheldean Ladies.

Mitcheldean captain Steph Davis-Hyde and teammates Jen Jordan and Natalie Watkins will have their heads shaved tomorrow night in conjunction with a charity skittles night at The Waterboard in Cinderford.

They will all donate their locks to the Little Princess Trust, a charity who provide real wigs to boys and girls of all ages who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment.

All money raised by the trio will go towards the Macmillan Renton Unit in Hereford where Julie was treated, as well as charities Coppafeel and the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

37-year-old Julie from Ledbury began a fundraising campaign after her diagnosis to raise awareness of the different symptoms of breast cancer.

“The campaign is to educate people about early detection,” she explained.

“Self-examination is important and what people don’t seem to understand is that it needs to be done regularly.

“That way you get to know your own breasts, both men and women, and you know what’s normal and what’s wrong so you can act on it.

“Mine was a dent and I feel very lucky that my body was telling me that something was wrong.

“I’m very passionate about it now and as soon as I was diagnosed I found out so much more information.”

Julie expressed her gratitude to her new teammates for their support since her diagnosis.

“I probably only trained six times with Mitcheldean and played in two friendlies but how the girls have welcomed me and their support is incredible,” she added.

“I’ve been to a lot of different clubs and I came to this one to finish my playing career and I feel like I’ve been there for 20 years! It means the world to me.”

Julie has a target of £37,000 - £1,000 for every year of her age when she was diagnosed – and on Friday passed the £10,000 mark.