THE annual Rokefest Beer and Music Festival is aiming to raise thousands for Cancer Research UK - but this year one organiser has been particularly bold.

Jo Chapman has shaved her head for the charity, following a stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis.

After personally raising money from a head shaving video in the style of G.I. Jane, Jo urged others to ‘be brave, be bald’. 

The 43-year-old, who has lived in Roke since 2007, said: “Being pragmatic and someone who likes to be in control of my life, I wanted to decide when my hair was to go, not the cancer or chemo, so I shaved my head.

“I want to inspire others to take control and embrace the change. Be brave, be bald and be beautiful. By donating the much needed funds to Cancer Research UK, you can help them beat cancer and help others in need.”

The festival, which has been running for 14 years and gathered a loyal following, takes place on the last bank holiday weekend in May, with live music starting on Friday May 25, at 7pm.

Set under a marquee in Roke's Home Sweet Home pub garden, the event will boast an impressive selection of real ales and good pub food and run until 9pm on Sunday May 27.

Mrs Chapman is now hoping that Rokefest will raise around £5,000 for life-saving research to help more men, women and children in Oxfordshire and across the UK survive the disease.

The funds will be raised from donations across the weekend, and by individuals having their heads shaved live on stage.

Joanna Payne, Cancer Research UK’s fundraising manager for Oxfordshire, said: “Jo is an absolute inspiration and we can’t thank her and the organisers enough for their commitment to helping Cancer Research UK beat cancer sooner. It’s going to be a fantastic festival.

“One in two people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some stage, but the good news is more people are surviving the disease now than ever before.

“However, we have only been able to achieve this thanks to volunteers and supporters like Jo, without whom we would not be able to fund outstanding scientists, doctors and nurses.”