A university student is to shave off her shoulder-length hair to raise funds for the Worcestershire hospice which cared for her best friend’s family.
Charlotte Albutt, 20, is to remove all her hair in memory of Tracey Henn, who died in July 2019 aged 53. Mrs Henn was cared for by St Richard’s Hospice, in Worcester, which also supported her husband Darron and daughter Maddie; Miss Albutt’s best friend.
The second year Multimedia Journalism Student, from Droitwich Spa, says she wants to give something back to those who cared for Tracey, and has helped Maddie. With everyone currently staying home in lockdown, Miss Albutt decided a head shave was the perfect socially-distant fundraising challenge!
“The lockdowns have been tough on so many people and I’ve found myself feeling down at points,” said Miss Albutt. “It’s also made me think about how others might be struggling too, like the hospice which is a cause very close to my heart having cared for Maddie’s Mum and the wider family.
“I realised that, even stuck at home, I could make a difference and I could still find a way to raise some money to help. So, I set up a charity head shave with a fundraising target of £500 – and within 24 hours I’d smashed that target.
“I’d really love to raise as much as I can for St Richard’s because the love and support they give patients and their loved ones is outstanding; providing comfort at times where that may have seemed impossible for families. Tracey’s husband and daughter, Darron and Maddie, are immensely grateful for the care their family received during such a difficult time, and continue to receive now.”
Ms Albutt’s charity head shave will take place on Tuesday 2 February, when she will stream events live on Facebook. She will also donate her hair to charity.
Tricia Cavell, Fundraising Director at St Richard’s Hospice, said: “We’re always amazed by the fundraising challenges that supporters take on for our care and Charlotte shaving off all her beautiful hair is no exception!
“Charlotte’s key aim is to use lockdown positively and help make a difference; she will certainly do that for the patients and their loved ones that we support here. Her original fundraising target of £500 could fund 21 hour sessions with specialist physio and therapists to help patients manage pain at home.
“At a time when our fundraising income has been hit by the closure of our charity shops and postponed events, we couldn’t be more grateful to supporters like Charlotte who undertake amazing personal challenges to help us be there for others.”
To support Charlotte’s fundraising challenge visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/charlotte-albutt-head-shave
St Richard’s Hospice cares for adults with a serious progressive illness, improving their quality of life from diagnosis, during treatment and to their last days. It also supports their loved ones.
Each year the hospice team supports more than 3,300 patients, family members and bereaved people in Worcestershire.
St Richard’s is an independent charity and relies on donations and gifts in Wills for the majority of its income with 22% funded by the NHS.
For more information about St Richard’s Hospice visit www.strichards.org.uk
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Notes to News Editors:
- For more information please contact Claire Loveday, St Richard’s Hospice Communications, on 01905 763963.