A daring Electrical and Electronic Engineering Student created a buzz when she shaved her head to raise money for CLIC Sargent, the UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people and their families.
Safia Patel, studying at the University of Nottingham, got up close and personal with the hair clippers on the 2nd of April, streaming the fundraiser live on Facebook she managed to raise £829 through online donations.
Safia’s effort was inspired by her friend, Cameron, who was diagnosed with leukaemia for the second time at age 19. Following the diagnosis, Cameron and his family received financial and emotional support from a CLIC Sargent social worker as well as being able to stay at the charity’s Home from Home in Nottingham – Billy’s House – allowing Cameron’s parents to be close by while he underwent a stem cell transplant.
Safia said: “I am very happy to be supporting such an amazing charity, especially at a time like this when young people with cancer are extremely vulnerable. I really enjoyed doing the head shave and live streaming it on Facebook – I like to think it gave all the people stuck at home something funny to watch! I really didn’t think the fundraiser would do as well as it did but I am so glad that I was able to make a difference.
Unfortunately, since the head shave last week, we have found out that Cameron’s Leukaemia has come back a third time and he is currently back in hospital undergoing chemotherapy. He’s doing okay but it’s a very hard for him at the minute, with the current circumstances surrounding COVID-19 his friends can’t visit so he’s a bit down. Hopefully seeing my pictures and the support from friends, family and the wider community will cheer him up a little!”
Last year in Nottinghamshire, CLIC Sargent supported 128 children and young people emotionally and financially, giving out multiple financial grants to the value of £19,673 helping individuals and families to cope with the costs of cancer. The Cancer Costs report from the charity found that families with a child on active treatment spend an extra £600 a month. CLIC Sargent also supported many families, like Cameron’s, with accommodation at Billy’s House which provides a home away from home for families having to travel to the city for treatment.
Holly Eyre, CLIC Sargent Fundraising Engagement Manager for Nottinghamshire said: “I’d like to say a huge thank you to Safia for raising funds for CLIC Sargent and becoming a real ‘life-shaver’
“Every day twelve children and young people hear the devastating news they have cancer. Many will lose their hair during treatment and you can show support for them by shaving your head and raising money for CLIC Sargent.”
If Safia has inspired you to fundraise online while in lock-down, you can find more information about CLIC Sargent’s work and how to get involved at www.clicsargent.org.uk
CLIC Sargent has launched an emergency fundraising appeal to help young cancer patients and their families in crisis struggling with the huge emotional and financial impacts of Coronavirus. The charity is seeing a 60% drop in income, while the number of families in crisis increases rapidly. To support CLIC Sargent and donate today, click here to donate online or text GIVE to 70030 to donate £5*
Terms and conditions: Texts cost £5 plus one standard network rate message. CLIC Sargent will receive 100% of your £5 donation. To unsubscribe from texts, text NOSMS CLIC to 78866. To unsubscribe from calls, text NOCALL CLIC to 78866. (These texts will be charged at your network’s standard message charge).