A mother and daughter have raised over £1,000 for a local charity after shaving off their hair.

Keeley Sutton, 45, and her daughter Hannah Barker, 21, have been raising money for Colchester Breast Unit after Mrs Sutton’s mother-in-law, Wilma Sutton, was diagnosed with breast cancer in July earlier this year.

It adds to what has already been a difficult year for the family after Mrs Sutton’s father, Terry Sutton – a former mayor of Colchester – died of Covid in January.

But after the shave took place on Saturday September 25, it soon transpired that the mother and daughter had far exceeded their £1,000 goal after donations from family, friends, and local organisations.

Gazette:

Mrs Sutton and Mrs Barker decided they would “brave the shave” after Wilma Sutton was told she was to receive chemotherapy and would consequently lose her hair.

Her daughter-in-law and granddaughter wanted to raise money and at the same time ensure that Wilma wasn’t going to go through the experience of hair loss alone.

Mrs Sutton, who lives on Mersea Road, described how the idea of braving the shave came around.

She said: “Wilma was really upset that she was going to lose her hair, so we said “don’t worry, we’ll do it too,” so that she wasn’t the only person who will lose her hair.

“She’s been through enough this year.”

And Mrs Sutton was full of praise when she was asked about the level of care provided by Colchester Breast Unit, which is part of Colchester General Hospital.

“When my mother-in-law was sent there, they were amazing – absolutely amazing,” she said.

“They allocated her a nurse from day one and she is always on the other end of the phone for support.

“I can’t explain all the support they have offered.”

When asked about her mother-in-law’s second round of chemotherapy, which is due to get underway later this month, Mrs Sutton said that her mother-in-law was determined to get through it.

“She is really, really strong-minded,” Mrs Sutton said.

Anyone wishing to donate towards Colchester Breast Unit can do so by following the link:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/keeley-sutton.