Early in August we discovered a lump on Madeika's neck and shoulder after collecting her from holiday club. She was doing cartwheels, flips and monkey bars and we thought she'd had a fall and injured something.

Unfortunately, the lump turned out to be a malignant tumour and Mads was diagnosed with Lymphoblastic Lymphoma. She started chemotherapy straight away and although it's only been a few weeks that early August day feels like a lifetime ago.

It's been a pretty crazy journey... Some days Mads is racing around the ward using her IV pole as a scooter, other days she's flat out on the sofa, but every day we're more determined to kick this cancer for good!

Now Mads hair is falling out thick and fast, and we've agreed to lop off most of our beloved long dreadlocks so we'll all be sporting new short hair-do's!

There isn't much else that would inspire either of us to cut the dreads, so we hope our friends and family might think it's worth paying for and boosting the moral support to Mads for the loss of her golden locks. If so, then you're in the right place to sponsor us!

All the funds will go to Clic Sargent, who have provided us with enormous practical and emotional support already. They have given us a dedicated social worker, organised parking permits for us, helped us with forms, provided guidance on talking Mads through this tough treatment, and will help Mads to settle back in at school by visiting and helping the other kids understand what she's going through.

We couldn't have got through these first few weeks without that, and without the ongoing love and support of our friends and family.

We'll be sure to post pics of the outcome, however terrible, and we hope you'll still be our friends!

Thank you!