Tears as Jill has headshave in Ashlee’s honour
9:00am Thursday 28th February 2013 in News
A TERMINALLY-ill mum burst into tears as a family friend had her hair shaved off to raise money in her honour.
Ashlee Meecham, aged 29, watched as Jill Browne went under the clippers at TLC hair salon, in Mile Lane, Bury.
Grandmother-of-three, Miss Browne, aged 55, decided to have her head shaved after Miss Meecham was given just 18 months to live.
She is close friends with Miss Meecham’s mother, Brenda, and wanted to raise money for a mobile chemotherapy unit for The Christie.
Miss Meecham, who lives in Little Lever, is being treated at the hospital for breast cancer, which has spread to her bones.
Miss Browne, of Milton Road, Radcliffe, said: “It was a bit daunting when the clippers first went on my head, but it went so quickly. It was like a blur.
“Ashlee was crying and that made me cry too.”
Miss Meecham said: “It was very emotional. I have fought so much to keep my hair and it’s great that she was willing to do this.”
The Mayor of Bury, Cllr Joan Grimshaw, and her consort, husband Alan, were among 80 people at the fundraising event.
Money is still being collected, but the event has so far raised £2,600.
Miss Browne said: “I’m so grateful. I would have been happy with £200, but this has really taken off. I want to thank everyone.”
Fundraisers have been inspired to organise events after reading Miss Meecham’s story in The Bolton News Her dying wish is to marry her long-term partner, Neil Disley, and the couple received hundreds of emails offering goods and services for their wedding in May.
Jungle Mayhem, in Eton Hill Road, Radcliffe, is raising money for the wedding by holding a children’s party especially for their three-year-old daughter, Miley.
It will be held from 9am to 11am on Saturday, March 16, and includes a buffet, face painting and party games. Tickets cost £5, available by calling 0161 724 7402.
There will also be a charity night at Radcliffe Borough on Friday, March 29, and a festival in several pubs in Bolton town centre on Monday, April 1.
