Despite trips in and out of hospital throughout her life, Helston hairdresser Becky Cross insists she has a lot to be thankful for and now wants to give something back.

It is this that has led her to organise a Pink Day for the Mermaid Centre at the Royal Cornwall Hospital, taking place in her salon Head Rush on Friday next week, October 24.

Becky, who will also be marking a year since becoming sole owner of the salon in Coinagehall Street, wants to raise awareness of breast cancer and also give thanks for the care she has received since undergoing surgery in January.

This was for a risk reducing double mastectomy – effectively a way of trying to prevent breast cancer before it strikes.

After her mum Paula was diagnosed with the disease (and subsequently went on to recover) Becky, 30, discovered she was a carrier of a faulty BRCA2 gene.

This was made famous recently when Angelina Jolie underwent a similar procedure after discovering a mutation in her BRCA1 gene.

This hugely increases the likelihood of the carrier going on to get cancer – often to around 80 per cent.

However, with Becky already taking medication following a kidney transplant (donated by her mum, following problems since childhood), her risks were even greater still.

Having already had two children – Nathan, 13, and eight-year-old Ryan – and with the support of husband Gavin, she took the difficult decision to have all the tissue removed.

Becky said: “I spent a lot of time at the Mermaid Centre having all my tests done. They were very caring and efficient, and easily approachable.

“I’m still semi under their care because of follow up appointments. It’s nice to give something back.”

At the fundraiser, staff at the salon will be donating half of their takings on the day, for hair, beauty and nails, and there will cakes and biscuits on sale.

Even people without an appointment can go up to enjoy a cup of coffee and try their hand at the raffle in the salon, which is upstairs above Solsken.

Tickets are on sale during the run up to the event for the large raffle, with prizes donated by business in Helston and the surrounding area.

They include a carvery for two at the Norway Inn, Sunday lunch for two at the Angel Hotel, a family swim for four at Falmouth’s St Michael’s Hotel, a voucher for the Lime Green Submarine gift shop in Helston, a rug from Carpet Connections and gifts from Solsken, Outback Trading and Joy Williams. Becky is still waiting to hear back from a few more.

Becky thanked all the businesses that had donated prizes so far, together with her staff and customers who had also given items and support.

“We have done Pink Days before but not to this extent and not with the support of the local businesses,” she added.