Daughter shaves off hair to raise vital funds for Peterborough hospice caring for terminally ill mother

Sally Dowers is urgently trying to support Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice in Longthorpe whose carers are visiting her mum Jo Weston every morning as she lives out her final months with bowel cancer.

The charity recently issued a desperate appeal for money as it revealed it could collapse within months due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

And eager to help in any way she can, Sally took a pair of clippers to her locks while sat in front of a mirror just outside her home - with the neighbours watching on!

The 49-year-old, who was meant to be on honeymoon in Honduras with her husband Stuart when she spoke to the Peterborough Telegraph on Tuesday, said: “On September 24 mum was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer. They couldn’t do anything because her heart and lungs are so weak so it was a case of ‘make every day count’.

“I got married in November and a month after my dad (Alan) died - it was just before Christmas. Four weeks ago they took mum to Thorpe Hall because she collapsed four or five times due to dizziness.

“They gave her a blood transfusion just before the lockdown then rang me to say she would be safer at home. Every day these amazing ladies come and treat her as if she was their own mum. They treat you like royalty.

“I thought there must be something I can do. Then on the news it said Sue Ryder will close with no funding. I thought ‘right, I’m going to cut my hair off’.

“I did it myself. I thought I might get a divorce if I let Stuart do it and I don’t like it!

“Some of my neighbours came out to the drive and watched. Stu filmed it on Facebook Live and I got my mirror and chopped away!”

Sally, who is living with her mother during her final months, had more than 100 people watch her on Facebook as she removed her hair on Sunday, although she needed a bit of Dutch courage to aid her.

“The neighbours did laugh as I was having a gin and tonic while doing it. I needed a bit of help!” she said.

Sally had hoped to raise £500 for the hospice in Thorpe Road so was shocked to find she has already hit the £2,360 mark by Tuesday, although she is now determined to add to the tally.

“I’m so grateful - it’s beyond fantastic,” she said. “Anything we can do for these people would be great.”

The carers come every morning to wash and dress Jo and make sure she is settled in her chair while also keeping her laughing.

And although Sally would like to have been on her honeymoon cruising across the Americas with Stuart, she is grateful to have some more time to spend with her mother.

“I’m making the most of the lockdown with my mum,” she added.

“There are people in worse off conditions than me which is why it’s great so many people donated.”

To donate to Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sallydowers.