A BARRY beauty salon owner inspired by her internationally renowned make-up artist auntie who died of cancer, has pledged to help cancer patients feel special.

Rebecca Van Praag, who owns the Beauty Basics salon, on Broad Street Parade, Barry, is offering free treatments to cancer patients throughout this month and for some time after to provide a treat as they deal with the disease.

Rebecca’s auntie was Julie Van Praag, also a hair stylist – known in the industry for her work on films such as Bend It Like Beckham and Relative Values, who died of cancer. Rebecca’s mum Jayne Van Praag also recently died of cancer.

Rebecca and Sarah Brown, the salon’s senior holistic therapist, have also supported Barry mum Karen Holroyd who founded the charity Karen’s Cause after her own diagnosis with cancer led her to seek Cyberknife radiotherapy treatment which resulted in her remission and an ambition to help establish a machine in Wales.

Rebecca said: “We have always supported Karen's Cause since opening and we are so pleased that Karen is still continuing to raise money and awareness.

“Julie Van Praag started the charity called Cold Cap to help stop sufferers losing their hair and she has been a massive inspiration in starting Beauty Basics.

“We are offering all treatments to clients.

“We all know somebody who has had cancer or lost someone to cancer. The only support we are asking for is to tell loved ones what we are offering and please always look for the signs of cancer and be aware.

“Together with hope we can one day beat this disease.”

October is breast cancer awareness month.

Rebecca added: “We are giving free treatments to all cancer sufferers because we can and we want too. Whether you are a man or woman suffering from any type of cancer please get in touch and let us make October your feel good month and put a smile back on your face.

“You deserve it.”

For details, call 01446 700836.