What are we doing?

Well myself (Richard) and my sister Jess are going to take part in a sponsored haircut.

I will be shaving my head and beard, for reference I have always had a beard since I could grow one. I haven’t been clean shaven for the last 17 years!

Jess will be cutting about 40cm/16inches off her hair and donating it to the Princess Trust.

Why are we doing this?

My daughter Pippa, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in August 2024 and is currently going through chemotherapy. As a result of the chemo she has lost her hair, so it is only fair if we join forces with her.

Pippa was nearly 2 at the time when they diagnosed the tumour. We had numerous drs appointments going through various symptoms. The sickness was put down to a viral infection, the head tilt and clumsiness was the fact she was a toddler. In took a trip to A&E and a CT scan for them to find a tumour. Unfortunately the tumour needed surgery to remove due to the size. What followed the diagnosis was three brain surgeries and a 6 week stay in hospital.

Unfortunately, after the tumour was removed we found out it was cancerous. This has changed our life forever, what has followed is 6 and half weeks of proton beam therapy in manchester followed by chemotherapy.

Why Teddy20?

In 2023 we took Pippa to her first festival called Teddy Rocks. Teddy Rocks raises money for lots of cancer charities. Teddy20 is one of those charities. Teddy20 run a VIP experience for children who have had cancer, Lucy emailed them a couple of months ago when we found out we would be finished chemotherapy in time for the festival.

What we got in response was beyond our wildest dreams, we will be given the full VIP experience at Teddy Rocks, including backstage access, being able to go on stage and so much more.

It’s hard to understand what this will mean to us as a family, we have always loved to go to festivals and normally spend our summer going to several of them. Due to Pippa medical condition and various stays at hospital we have not been able to have much normality in our lives. So for a charity to offer us an experience like this at a place that we have had so many happy memories at is amazing.

Why £2,500

We raised this amount last time we did some fundraising. I know it is a lot to ask for you to donate again. We really do appreciate every penny that you all donate.

All money donated goes to an amazing charity who provide support and experiences to families just like ours.

Plus you will be able to see me without hair or beard!

A little bit more about Teddy20

In 2010 we lost our beautiful boy Ted, after an immense battle with a very rare form of bone cancer, Ewings Sarcoma. We set up Teddy20 in memory of our Son, so that we could provide some of the same support that was given to our family during the hardest time of our lives.

Teddy20 became a registered charity in 2014 and since then, with your support, we have continued to grow as a community based charity providing emotional and financial support to hundreds of children, young people and their families across the Wessex Region.