A pensions clerk from Cumbria has ‘Braved the Shave’ in memory of her best friend who died last year to raise more than £2,300 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Laura Bell, from Workington, took on the ‘hair-raising’ challenge for her friend from school, Cara Donaldson – who sadly died from cancer – to raise vital funds for the charity to support people living with cancer.
The 35-year-old keen charity fundraiser first met Cara 22-years-ago, when they were classmates at Cockermouth Secondary School and were firm friends until she sadly died last June aged just 34.
Laura set out to raise £1,000 but smashed her target by more than double to so far secure £2,340 in memory of her close friend Cara, who is survived by her partner and five-year-old daughter.
She said: “Cara received precious support and assistance from Macmillan and her parents said she was extremely grateful for this. So, I decided to ‘Brave the Shave’ for Macmillan and I was blown away by the support I received, especially during such a difficult year with the impact of coronavirus.
“I did it for my dearly missed bestie Cara Donaldson, and for all those who have suffered and been touched by cancer. Cara wouldn’t let me shave my head in solidarity with her when she started her chemotherapy, but I know she would be proud of me for doing it now. I was a little nervous to do the shave on the day but also excited to take on the challenge, which some might say is brave, but I see it as a small sacrifice to raise funds for such a worthy cause.”
Laura’s hair has been donated to the Little Princess Trust, which provides real hair wigs to children and young adults who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment and other illnesses.
Since 2015 brave the shavers have raised over £22.7 million, which could pay for up to 140 Macmillan nurses for three years. The money they raise allows Macmillan to continue to help everyone with cancer live life as fully as they can, by providing physical, financial and emotional support.
To support Laura’s fundraising efforts, go to:
https://bravetheshave.macmillan.org.uk/shavers/laura-bell
For more information on Brave the Shave, to sign up or to donate, visit bravetheshave.org.uk
