Nothing could have stopped four brave fundraisers, not even a buzz-cut, in their bid to support the 160 Appeal, and they proved it this summer. Anne Soffe, Matt Doyle and Michael Whittaker and Fran Hillman all trekked to The JJs Hair Group in Havelock Street in July to have their heads shaved for Prospect Hospice

Anne Soffe

ANNE Soffe not only went under the scissors for the appeal but also crowned it off with a henna tattoo.

The 55-year-old of Penhill knows how vital hospices are in alleviating the suffering of patients and leapt at the chance to raise money for the charity by cutting off her royal blue hair.

“My ex-partner is at the hospice in Somerset at the moment, and my husband’s ex-partner died in their care.

“My friend’s grandfather is in Prospect now, and I work in a pharmacy where a lot of people use Prospect as well.”

While many women would find shaving their heads daunting, Anne was delighted with her new look.

“I’ve got arthritis and have had to have my hip replaced three times, so I can’t do anything physical to raise money. This was easy really. I haven’t done anything – I just sat there.

“It might shock people but I’m quite happy to do that. It needs to be something that grabs people’s attention so that they give money.”

Anne, who raised more than £916, was even able to find a buyer for her ponytail on eBay.

MICHAEL Whittaker

MICHAEL Whittaker not only had his head shaved but every inch of his body waxed for the cause.

The 46-year-old from Abbey Meads had pledged that the more money people donated the more of his hair he would remove in a fearless bid to raise the cash for Prospect Hospice.

The Nationwide practice manager said: “My colleagues challenged me to add a full leg wax and then I said the more money I would raise the more I would wax off, and if I raised £500 then everything would go.”

But Michael’s efforts attracted double than his highest expectations, with more than £1,000 raised.

“Prospect is just one of those things that makes such a huge difference to people.

“I have got a friend whose mum unfortunately used Prospect’s services. There are people around me whose families have made use of the hospice.

“For me it’s a fantastic cause. It’s local and to be honest you never know when you and your family are going to need them. They do amazing work.

“And they spend money on all the right things. They are building extra facilities but they don’t use this money for that. They use what they raise towards the services and patient care.”

MATT DOYLE 

ONE of the first fundraisers to take to the hairdresser’s chair was Matt Doyle, whose hours in the sunshine left him with a two-toned head.

The 34-year-old from Stratton was initially nervous about the new look, but was glad to be able to support such a good cause.

He said: “I was really nervous about it. I was worried about what I was going to look like when I’d had it done. I always used to have my hair cut short but it’s a bit different having it shaved. But it’s going to grow back. Some people lose a family member in Prospect, we just lost hair.”

He added: “My fiancée Nikki used to work for Prospect and she told me about what they do for people to make them more comfortable.

“It’s something that will probably affect everyone one way or another at some point in their lives. Every single one of us will know someone they care for or love who will end up needing Prospect’s help.”

Matt, who works for Zurich, raised £240 for the appeal. Zurich Community Trust then matched every pound donated to Matt by 50 per cent.

FRAN HILLMAN

LAST but not least was cancer survivor Fran Hillman.

The 45-year-old from Moredon was cared for by Prospect Hospice after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer last June.

Also in the hospice were her aunt Jean, a motor neurone disease sufferer, and her best friend Huggy, who had a brain tumour.

Fran was the only one to survive.

Although daunted at the prospect of going bald, her resolve to support the 160 Appeal was clear as she headed straight for the hairdresser’s chair without a moment’s hesitation.

“We all went to Prospect,” she said. “My auntie died in August last year and Huggy in February this year. They told me I was in remission but I am still waiting for some results to come back on July 16. I decided to have my head shaved to give something back. Your hair will grow back but life can't.

“Prospect was great. They supported me, my family, my auntie and my best friend. It's really a nice place.”

Fran raised more than £560 for the appeal. Receiving a buzz cut was surprisingly liberating according to her. She said: “It's not as bad as I thought. I'm pleased I did it. It feels more comfortable.”