Braving the Shave for St Ann’s
Supporter, Susan braved the shave for St Ann's by cutting off all her hair with friends, family and colleagues sponsoring her for taking on the daring challenge.
St Ann’s supporter, Susan Wilkinson, made the daring decision to shave her head for the hospice after her Auntie Sue who is from Swinton, was cared for by our outstanding team.
On Tuesday 7th July Susan headed to the salon to shave all her hair off, which has raised over £1,200, beating her target of £500.
Susan decided she wanted to support St Ann’s after seeing how our staff treated her Auntie, who is in the final stage of COPD, during her stay. Whilst there, Susan found comfort in our Being You Centre and having a creative outlet that she could share with her Auntie. She would attend two times a week and saw a development in her skills with the help of our Being You staff and even made a silk scarf at the Centre.
Our Being You Centre is a special place for patients and carers that is a warm and friendly place full of people who are committed to giving you the best care and support possible, whatever that means for you. We provide a range of services, including relaxation therapy, counselling, creative therapy and spiritual support, among many more services. You can read more about our Being You Centre here.
When Susan’s Auntie was first offered respite at St Ann’s her family was hesitant and uncertain, but within a day she looked like a different person, she said:
The first day I went to visit her I was in awe, she was sat eating a prawn salad with a glass of wine, waiting for her ice cream dessert, she looked like a different person.
Originally Susan had decided to do a sponsored slim for our hospice, but due to the current climate, she had to make alternative plans, setting up a brave the shave fundraiser with a pledge to do so once the hairdressers opened up.
I was motivated to do this after seeing my Aunties attitude grow more positively during her stay. I was shocked that it wasn’t government funded, and I really wanted to raise funds for the staff that are always on hand to care and support patients and families.
Susan’s Auntie spent three months at St Ann’s before being able to return to her home, Susan went on to say:
From the time my Auntie was in the hospice she became more and more like her old self every day and the transformation in her health was amazing. I firmly believe that my precious Auntie would not be with us now if this charity had not supported her and her family.
To sponsor Susan, please visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/brave-shaver