A BRAVE cancer battler has pledged to shave her head to raise cash for a charity that supports her autistic son.

Breast cancer sufferer Susan Cliff was diagnosed with the devastating disease five months ago.

The 49-year-old is undergoing gruelling chemotherapy treatment and was distraught when her thick hair began to fall out.

But inspirational Susan, mum to 14-year-old Christian who has autism and learning difficulties, is determined not to let it get her down.

She has decided to shave the remainder of her hair off to raise funds for The Main Project, a registered charity which supports children with autistic spectrum conditions and their families across Teesside.

Susan, from the Marton area of Middlesbrough, said of her condition: "I'm not going to let it beat me. I have got to stay positive. The head shaving is a big thing for a woman. I feel empowered by it."

The Main Project has a base at Beverley School in Saltersgill, where Christian attends.

Susan said: "I just wanted to give something back. They do an awful lot of work for parents and children with days out and weekends away."

Susan, who is also mum to Olivia, 18, said she was initially diagnosed after listening to a radio programme about the importance of women checking themselves. She said: "I thought ‘I must do that' and lo and behold I found a lump."

Susan, who is on sick leave from her job in learning support at Middlesbrough College, went to her GP. She said: "I was partly thinking ‘it can't happen to me' but the other side of me was thinking ‘why not?'

"I wake up in the early hours and my hair is almost gone and you think ‘have I been dreaming?' And you look in the mirror and realise you've not." Susan had an operation to remove the lump and began chemotherapy in June. Her treatment is due to finish in October.

She says she has drawn strength from seeing international singing sensation Kylie Minogue battle back from the condition after being diagnosed in 2005. She said: "When I look at Kylie I think she has been through it and she looks amazing and is a great role model."

Susan will be having her hair shaved off on September 1 at the holistic centre within Middlesbrough's James Cook University Hospital.

Anyone who would like to sponsor Susan can contact her on (01642) 306193 or visit www.justgiving.com/Sue-Cliff