ast year I lost a close friend, Patricia, to cancer. She left behind two little girls aged 2 and 5. Moved by grief I decided to raise money for her chosen charity, Macmillan Cancer Relief.
With a fear of heights and a recent knee operation, any ideas of parachute jumps and running marathons were definitely out.
What else could I do that people would think worthy of sponsorship? Then it came to me, I'd heard of others having their heads shorn for charity, and I had a good head of hair! I immediately ran the idea past friends and family. The response was one of shock and horror; I suppose because I had just spent the last seven years growing it. But people's reactions confirmed the idea was a winner!
The date was set, the venue was chosen, and the fundraising began. True to the words on the advertising posters, many did know of someone suffering the effects of cancer, and the support and generosity were amazing. My family and friends 
were fantastic. With their help posters were designed, sponsor forms were filled, the raffle, barbecue and games were organised, there was no going back now! As the big day drew near the nerves began, the weather didn't look good and I was in bed with tonsillitis! The show had to go on, so the antibiotics were taken and the prayers were made!
Saturday 22nd April arrived: the antibiotics had worked and the prayers were answered - the weather was fantastic! As people arrived, my final worries disappeared and by 3 o'clock The Cock Inn's garden was full. While adults enjoyed a barbecue, guessed the weight of the cake and bought nearly £300 pounds worth of raffle tickets, the children were 
entertained, with ‘hunt the treasure’, ‘guess the number of lollipops in the jar’ and the favourite of the day, ‘pull a string’. As the time approached for me to lose my long grown locks, the words of support and encouragement were overwhelming and with the help of a little Dutch courage I was ready. I took my seat in the middle of the car park, the clippers were plugged in and the crowd gathered round. It was time. My hairdresser gathered my hair back, the crowd fell silent, the first cut was made and my ponytail was off!
Despite the crowd’s gasps, the clippers went on, and with a steady hand, Diane proceeded. First the centre disappeared, then the sides, and finally the back. Before I knew it, it was done!
The clippers were switched off and the audience applauded -finally I'd had it off!
Again, reactions from the crowd confirmed the fundraising idea was a winner, but now, instead of shock and horror, people were giving their approval with smiles and applause.
I thanked the crowd for their kind support and stood to free the chair, for three others were already waiting to offer donations for an impromptu trim of their own!
The approval continued with emotional hugs and kisses from family and friends and I paused to remember my absent friend Patricia. Feeling proud to have known her, I was in no doubt that she too would have approved! What a fantastic day!
Amazingly, to date, we have raised just over £2,500 for Macmillan Cancer Relief. To reach £3000 would be even more amazing! If anyone, for any reason, couldn't make the day or didn't get a chance to sponsor this truly worthy cause, now is your chance!
Donations can still be made by cheque (payable to: MacMillan Cancer Relief) or cash, along with your full name, address (and postcode if you are a taxpayer and wish to claim Gift Aid from the taxman), to one of the following supporting outlets:
Worboys Garage, Maythorn Florists, Post Office, Doctors surgery, Pharmacy, or Camerons News.
Finally, a big, big thank you to everyone who came along on the day and gave their support, and a special thanks to those below for their help and donations-The raffle prizes were fantastic!
To my family, especially my husband, mum, dad, Misha, Ashley and my 3 children, Jacob, Joe and Harriet. To my friends, especially Diane the hairdresser, Lucy, Elaine, Karen, Derek and Haydn.
The local schools and the following local business for their support and donations:
Woods Bakery, Universal Lifting Services, Greensands Plant Centre, Maythorn Florists, Waresley Garden Centre, Green End Vehicle Sales, Pinewood, KMG, Chelford Fabrics, Beauty Works, Knibbs, The Cock Inn, Halls Horse Boxes, D.C. Finnigan, The Country Store, Renault Trucks, The Wrigley Company Ltd, Post Office, Camerons News, Gamlingay Pharmacy and K.O.P. Electronic Systems Ltd.
Apologies if I've missed anyone!
nd last, but not least, thank you to The Gazette for the column inches!
We are delighted to announce that we have secured significant funding from South Cambridgeshire District Council enabling us to update some of the aerobic machines.
