Mansfield 'no hair don't care' teachers hand over proceeds of sponsored head shave in memory of 'brave' mum

Two Mansfield teachers who took part in a sponsored head shave in memory of a ‘brave, vibrant, well-loved’ mum have handed over more than £6,500 to charity.
By Dale Spridgeon
Published 24th Mar 2021, 14:38 BST
Updated 24th Mar 2021, 14:42 BST
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Assistant headteacher Nik Shively and deputy headteacher Paula McCay, who work at the St Philip Neri with St Bede Catholic Voluntary Academy, organised a ‘No Hair Don’t Care’ fundraiser in memory of parent Clare Grady-Lennon in January.

Clare, from Mansfield tragically died from melanoma – a type of skin cancer – before Christmas and was mum to pupils Caitlin Lennon, 11, and six-year-old twins Ciaran and Shay Lennon.

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Pictured, from left, are Paula McCay, Joanne Egbury, from the PICS team, Matthew Lennon, Janet Grady - Clare's mum - and Nik Shivley. At the front is Ciaran, Shay and Caitlin Lennon, Clare's children.Pictured, from left, are Paula McCay, Joanne Egbury, from the PICS team, Matthew Lennon, Janet Grady - Clare's mum - and Nik Shivley. At the front is Ciaran, Shay and Caitlin Lennon, Clare's children.
Pictured, from left, are Paula McCay, Joanne Egbury, from the PICS team, Matthew Lennon, Janet Grady - Clare's mum - and Nik Shivley. At the front is Ciaran, Shay and Caitlin Lennon, Clare's children.
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Money raised from the fundraiser was for the PICS (Primary Integrated Community Services) palliative care team, which helped the family.

Nik said: “Working with the family taught me how a family can survive the most heart-breaking, life-changing time with strength, determination, humour and courage. Clare was brave and strong in her long fight against cancer.

"The fundraiser was a much bigger success than we could have dreamed. The whole community has been so supportive of the family and the PICS team. Money raised included donations from Clare's funeral, testimony to the many people she touched. She will always be remembered.”

The £6,550.33 cheque was presented to Joanne Egbury from PICS at a special presentation attended by Clare’s children Ciaran, Caitlin, and Shay as well as their dad Matthew, grandmother Janet Grady and Paula and Nik.

Clare Grady Lennon died from a form of skin cancer last year.Clare Grady Lennon died from a form of skin cancer last year.
Clare Grady Lennon died from a form of skin cancer last year.

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Joanne, a clinical nurse specialist at the PICS Palliative Care team, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the warmth of the community’s support and grateful for the massive fundraising efforts that make a real difference to patients and families in Mansfield and surrounding areas.

"We provide specialist care for patients and their loved ones, making each day and night as comfortable as possible, we think it’s really important to support families to live well as they spend their last weeks and days together.

“The funds buy equipment for patients, enabling them to stay in their own home, including syringe driver pumps which help manage symptoms more comfortably, and mouth care products that make a difference but hard to source. The team have also chosen to get forget-me-not flower seeds to give with condolence cards and other options.”

Related topics:Mansfield