Ann has a close shave for teenage cancer charity (From Wirral Globe)

Ann has a close shave for teenage cancer charity

8:00am Saturday 15th September 2012 in News

A MUM-of-two who works in Birkenhead has shaved her hair off to raise cash for a teenage cancer charity.

Ann Woodward, who works for Argos in Birkenhead, said goodbye to her long locks but hello to more than £1,000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

The charity, devoted to improving the lives of teenagers and young adults battling the disease, is the nominated cause for Argos nationally and the Grange and Pyramids store has raised more than £3,300 over the last year.

Ann’s selfless act comes after her own family has been touched by the devastating disease.

The 50-year-old, from Aintree, is mum to 13-year-old twins Aisling and Pierce, and is married to Alan.

She said: “Alan had cancer some years ago and he lost his hair during his treatment and it was in my mind to do something then but the children were only two and I just wasn’t in the right place at that time.

“He’s been given the all clear now and I had forgotten about it for a while.

“Unfortunately my auntie has now been diagnosed with breast cancer and is going through chemo now so I suppose it has come back into my life again.

“I was lying in my yoga class and we are supposed to have a few minutes at the end where we completely relax and clear our minds but I do find that very difficult and it was at that moment that the idea to shave my hair off popped back in my head and I felt determined I was going to do it!”

She continued: “I didn’t think I was nervous but afterwards Terri told me I was shaking but I didn’t even realise. I think I was probably quite excited too.

“I felt quite comfortable with it though and the reason for that is because I had so much support around me and I raised £157 on the day itself – people were so generous.

“I said I wouldn’t do it unless I raised more than £1,000 and we are well over that now.”

Her fundraising efforts have been met with praise and admiration from all around her including her work colleagues.

Also very impressed is Derek Millar, commercial director for The Grange and Pyramids Shopping Centre, who said: “Ann’s family and colleagues are rightly proud of what she has done and her efforts have been rewarded by the fantastic amount of money she had raised for Teenage Cancer Trust.

“People like Ann are an example to all of us and I hope people will continue donating money because being brave enough to shave your hair off – she deserves every single penny.”

Ann added: “People call me brave but I don’t feel that way at all. When I think about bravery, I think about soldiers out in the war zones or our Olympic heroes who have trained for years to reach their goal or those who are battling cancer right at this moment. They are the brave ones, not me.

“I’m getting quite used to my new style now but I think I might let it grow back a bit.”