Mansfield healthcare assistant Teresa Williams (above) more than doubled her fundraising target when she had her head shaved for Nottinghamshire Hospice.

Teresa, who works at the hospice, has so far raised £1,143 — with more pledged. Her original target was £500.

A member of the organisation’s Hospice at Home team, she signed up to have her head shaved on the anniversary of her mother’s death to show solidarity with cancer patients who lose their hair through chemotherapy.

Teresa, who provides end of life care for patients in their own homes, said: “I was nervous on the day but kept in mind the many patients who have no choice but to lose their hair because of chemotherapy. I feel very thankful to be in good health myself.

“I kept my eyes shut while the clippers cut my hair. When I opened them it was quite shocking but I soon got used to it and now I can literally just ‘wash and go’.”

Teresa, who cares for patients in their own homes in the last weeks, days and hours of their lives, added: “Working for the hospice, I see first-hand the benefits it provides to patients and their families. This has been my opportunity to give something back and raise awareness.

“I’m so thrilled with all the donations people have given to the hospice. I highly recommend a headshave as a fundraising idea.”

Teresa’s mother, Mary, was cared for in a hospice in Letchworth, Hertfordshire at the end of her life in 2013 after being diagnosed with breast cancer eight years previously. Teresa was given a family room at the hospice so she could stay there too and was impressed by the care her mother received.

“In the final year of mum’s life she became really poorly and didn’t want to be alone,” teresa added.

“With me and other family living some distance away this put a huge strain on our lives. In mum’s area there was no Hospice at Home service that would have made a huge difference to us.

So I want to make sure people are aware of the service that Nottinghamshire Hospice provides, especially where I live in Mansfield.”

Teresa is now sporting headgear in the hospice’s corporate colour, purple.

Last year, Nottinghamshire Hospice provided 12,000 hours of Hospice at Home care for patients in their own homes in the mid-Notts healthcare region and is currently rolling out its Hospice Night Support service in the area too.