On 30th October Mayor of Hythe, Naomi Slade will be shaving her hair to raise money for Pilgrims Hospices in memory of her best friend Clare’s mum, Diane Bauckham.

Diane was a volunteer at Pilgrims Hospice Ashford for nearly 10 years and was cared for by them at the end of her life. She had lived glamorously with breast cancer for 15 years.

Naomi described Diane saying: “She always had such an air of grace about herself and was one of the most compassionate and caring people I’ve been lucky enough to know. She was never without her lipstick, wig (Dolly) and a flowing scarf to hide her spreading lumps. Through every stage of her illness, Diane always looked absolutely fabulous.

“I don’t remember much of life without Diane’s daughter, Clare. We’ve grown up like sisters, with me having two unruly brothers and Clare as an only child, we’ve been there for each other through everything and I really don’t know where I would be without her. So I’ve never felt such heartache, as watching Clare losing her mum. There really are no words.

“It made me realise just how important our hospices are and the need to fundraise, to help support the incredible work they do.”

She always had such an air of grace about herself and was one of the most compassionate and caring people I’ve been lucky enough to know.

Naomi

Wendy Kelk, Pilgrims Hospices  Services Manager said: “Diane was a valued member of the reception team, we were lucky to have her volunteer for us and I was personally appreciative to her for her hard work and passion. Every week Diane would come along very neat with immaculate hair and fabulous clothes.  I would personally describe her as glamourous, her appearance meant a lot to her.  Diane was very dignified and a wonderful welcoming face to the visitors at the hospice.  When I heard about the head shave I thought it very fitting that someone was prepared to shave their head for Diane, when appearance meant so much to her.”

Naomi will also be donating her hair to The Little Princess Trust, where along with other hair donations they are transformed into beautiful wigs. These are given for free to children and young people, who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment or other conditions.

If you would like to donate to Naomi’s fundraiser you can do so  on her JustGiving page.

Pilgrims Hospices cares for more than 2,500 local people each year, free of charge, during the most challenging time in their lives. They offer care and support in people’s own homes, in the community and in their inpatient units as well as running a 24-hour advice line.