A KIND-hearted carer who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer selflessly gave up the chance to indulge in a pamper and threw a party for residents instead.

Julieann Bryers, 37, is receiving chemotherapy and Macmillan Cancer Support arranged for her to have either a massage, eyelash treatment or get dressed up for a photoshoot.

But instead of treating herself, the charity helped Julieann get in touch with the photobooth supplier to bring her day out to Whitecraigs Care Home in Thornliebank, where she has worked for six years.

Julieann, who is from Thornliebank, said: “I’m not an emotional person, I don’t cry. But when it comes to my residents, I get really upset. I miss them, and I feel like I’ve abandoned them. Some of them don’t have family or anyone to come and visit, so I really wanted them to have fun, and have the memories and photos from the day.

“I’ve worked at Whitecraigs for six years and the staff are incredible so I also wanted to give something back to them. They’ve been so supportive over the last few months.

“I was thrilled to be able to throw a party in the home. The residents are a massive part of my life.”

The staff at the care home surprised Julieann on Friday with almost 20 of the team having purchased branded ‘Team Julieann’ t-shirts, plus there were a host of tombola prizes and cakes for the party donated by the local community, while a pianist and a harpist came along to entertain everyone. All the funds raised from the event went to Macmillan.

Care home manager Annmarie Porter said: “This was so like Julieann, she’s so caring and always puts the needs of others before her own, even now in a time of need.

“It’s great to be able to fundraise for Macmillan Cancer Support. We’ve had two further staff at Whitecraigs who have had their own battles with cancer and returned to work, while our chairman Robert Kilgour has recently been announced as Scotland’s first ambassador for the charity.”

When Julieann was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in February, her oncologist had to threaten to phone the care home with a sick line if she didn’t take time off work as the committed carer didn’t want to leave her residents.

She is now going through her fourth round of chemotherapy for stage two breast cancer and is set to have 19-and-a-half hour reconstructive surgery at the end of the summer, but hopes to return to work at Christmas.

Alongside her treatment, Julieann cares for her four children including her nine-year-old daughter who has autism and diabetes.