A LUDLOW man will receive a cash accumulating close shave this month to thank the hospital which is helping his sick granddaughter.

John Smallman was so impressed with the leukaemia treatment provided for three-year-old Lucy by the Rainbow Oncology Unit at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, he is holding a sponsored head shave "to give something back".

Lucy's leukaemia was diagnosed in July when mum, Wendy Beamond, noticed she was pale and listless. She complained of leg pains and had no appetite. "It was a big shock - we knew there was something wrong with her but I did not think it would be leukaemia," says Wendy.

Lucy's two-year course of treatment involves chemotherapy, bone marrow tests, blood samples and lumber punctures.

A course of steroids proved to be the lowest point for the little girl as side effects took their toll. "Her face and body became very puffy and she had terrible mood swings," says Wendy.

Eventually Lucy was weaned off them and, energy rejuvenated, she began to laugh again.

However, long blonde strands of her thick, glossy hair have fallen out and Wendy expects it to have all gone by Christmas.

Any infection can be dangerous for Lucy but, says Wendy: "She has been so brave. She does cry when she has blood tests and things but she has coped brilliantly."

Now, after two intensive sessions of treatment, Lucy is due to start nursery next week, although she will have to continue her treatment into 2005.

The whole family made sacrifices after Lucy's diagnosis. Her father, Steve, desperately wanted to stay with his little girl while she had treatment but, financially, it was impossible.

Wendy had to give up her job at Barclays Bank to look after Lucy at their Ludlow home and Lucy's six-year-old sister Charlotte spent many long hours in hospital waiting rooms.

"Charlotte has been just fantastic - she has been left with friends and family while Lucy has had treatment and she doesn't complain. She has been brilliant," says Wendy.

The fundraising ball was set rolling when Lucy's great grandfather died just before she was diagnosed and mourners raised £435 for another hospital in Birmingham where Lucy had treatment.

Now John, a Hereford police civilian worker, is preparing to have his head shaved at the station. "But I am hanging on to grow my hair a bit first!" he explains. "We are going to fundraise in stages and my son Andrew is going next," he adds.

"Steve has also got something up his sleeve - but he wants to wait until Lucy's intensive therapy is finished," says Wendy.

Anyone wanting to make a donation or sponsor John's head shave can pop into Daisy Chains in King Street, Hereford, or Barclays Bank, in Ludlow for a sponsor form.