A healthcare assistant from Mansfield is having her head shaved on the anniversary of her mother’s death to raise money for Nottinghamshire Hospice.

Teresa Williams, a member of the organisation’s Hospice at Home team, will have the close shave on 18th January to show solidarity with her mother and other cancer patients who lose their hair through chemotherapy.

Teresa, who provides end-of-life care for patients in their own homes, says: “Working for the hospice, I see first-hand the benefits it provides to patients and their families. This is my opportunity to give something back and raise awareness.

“My role at the hospice is the best job I’ve ever had. Being able to give person-centred care to patients at the end of their lives and to give their families a much-needed break is a privilege.
“I want to spread the word about the services we offer and to raise some money as well.”

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

Teresa said: “In the final year of mum’s life she became really poorly and didn’t want to be alone. With me and other family living some distance away this made it very difficult and put a huge strain on our lives.

“As a family carer the physical and emotional exhaustion was indescribable. In mum’s area there was no Hospice at Home service, which would have made a huge difference to us.

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

Teresa has already raised £400 towards her £500 fundraising goal and looks likely to smash her target. She’s received offers of support from friends, colleagues and members of her church — St Peter’s in Ravenshead — who have pledged money in lieu of going out for a Christmas meal this year.

Once she has had her hair shaved off, Teresa has promised to wear purple headgear to promote the hospice because purple is its corporate colour.

Roxie Hickling, fundraiser at the hospice, said: “We’re really impressed by what Teresa is doing to raise money for the hospice and very grateful for her support.”

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 it is currently rolling out its Hospice Night Support service in the area too.

For more details of Teresa’s story and to support her fundraiser, you can visit her page here at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/teresa-williams1967

Teresa Williams is pictured with one of her patients, Roy Jones, who she cares for in his Mansfield home.