Peterborough nurse braves the shave in memory of dad and brother

Janette Willis of Blackdown Garth, Werrington, who works in Botolph Bridge surgery and The Grange surgery, decided now was the right time to make the cancer charity effort after a sudden loss in the family.

Janette said: “I am doing it for my brother, Joe Anderton, who passed away last year and my dad, Alf Patterson, who passed away around three years ago. I decided to do the ‘Brave the Shave’ earlier this month and my mum passed away two weeks ago on the Friday which was very sudden. I was going to put this on hold, but I had a message from her about how proud she was.”

Despite Janette’s mum not being a ‘very good texter’ it meant so much to her. The text read: “I love you, I am so proud of what you’re doing so good luck!”

Setting an original target of £500, Janette passed that within a matter of days and when she went for £700 she beat that too. Now the fund is at £810 and she is hoping to raise £1,000.

Janette, who has worked for the surgeries for three-and-a-half years, said: “I see enough patients at work with cancer, so I do realise what people go through and how it affects them. It’s all about doing it for the charity. I’ve had lots of donations from work and it’s been a brilliant support.”

Janette is going to embrace her baldness, apart from buying one hat to cover up for her mum’s funeral.

Janette shaved her head on Saturday, August 29. To donate go to: bravetheshave.macmillan.org.uk/shavers/janette-willis