It was World Cancer Day on Saturday – and a Stevenage teenager and a Letchworth mum-of-six both marked the event by having their hair cut for charities fighting the disease.
Kelly Hawkins from Letchworth braved the shave to try to ‘give something back’ to Cancer Research UK after the disease claimed the lives of three friends.
And Stevenage 17-year-old Molly Gregory had her flowing locks chopped off for London’s Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, which is caring for her grandmother after her diagnosis with kidney and secondary bone cancer.
Kelly had her hair cut by Hitchin hairdresser Dan Mastro – who shaved her head in the comfort of her own home.
The 39-year-old said: “First and foremost I want to thank Dan for coming to shave my hair for this worthy cause.
“Cancer has no age. It’s a illness that needs kicking to the ground – and I am proud of myself for doing this for a very worthy cause.
“Please keep sharing and donating if you can. I want to say a massive thanks for all donations and support.”
Kelly set an initial target for Cancer Research UK of £200, and so far has received £255 from 24 supporters.
Molly had her long brown curls cut off free of charge by Kenny Arnold at his salon in Stevenage Old Town – with the cuttings donated to the Little Princess Trust, which makes wigs for children going through cancer treatment.
Molly’s mum Emma told the Comet: “The reason she chose to have all her hair cut off was because the first thing anyone notices about her is her mass of curly hair, so having it cut would have a big impact.
“She is also donating the hair to the Little Princess Trust who make wigs for children. Kenny Arnold generously offered to do the cut for free.”
Molly has so far raised £571.66 from 30 supporters, smashing her original target of £200.
If you’d like to contribute to Kelly’s fundraising, see justgiving.com/kelly-Hawkins1.
To donate to Molly’s total, see justgiving.com/Molly-gregory1.
For more about World Cancer Day, see worldcancerday.org.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here