This has obviously been a really strange and upsetting time. For the most part I have been doing my bit, social distancing and staying at home. But it seems like a small thing to do when there are people working on the frontline, and when resources are scarce for those who need it most.

So I’ve decided to try and raise some money for charity by shaving my hair off. Eek. It’s taken me weeks to finally decide – I like my hair, I’m quite attached to it... and it’s been interesting to realise how much it is a part of my identity. So I’m quite nervous, but then, it’s only hair right? There are people going through much much worse. 

The charity I have chosen is St Helena’s Hospice in Essex. They help people face incurable illness and bereavement, supporting them as well as their family, friends and carers. 

My sister works there as a grief counsellor and what she does is totally amazing. However, it is only going to get harder for them to reach all the people they need to. Family members are being lost every day in the most tragic and traumatic circumstances and in the coming months they will be busier than ever. Here are some words from St Helena Hospice about coronavirus and what they are doing.

To prepare for the impending challenges, our services and the care we provide is adapting daily and we are doing everything we can to respond to this constantly changing situation effectively. 

Our rapidly growing Virtual Ward can now care for eight patients at a time, with our healthcare assistants providing personal care to the patient and support for the family when a patient is in their last days of life – helping them remain at home if that is where they want to be. 

We’re facing a devastating loss of income because of the impact of the coronavirus. We have shut our shops; postponed our events; and many of you who were planning on supporting us at work, at school, at home or just out and about, have had to put a hold on your fundraising. 

As a charity, we need to raise around £2 million a year from our shops and fundraising combined and both of these will be significantly impacted for several months. 

Please read more at www.sthelena.org.uk

I would love to raise at least £500. Every single donation counts, no matter how small. Thank you so much.

El xx

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