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20.
October
2020.
Jo braves the shave to ‘give something back' in cancer treatment

 

                   Press Release

 

Ref:PRSS001                                                                                             Date: 20 Oct 2020

Jo braves the shave to ‘give something back' in cancer treatment

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A Shropshire mother undergoing treatment for breast cancer has braved the shave for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Jo Davies, 47, said that she took the bold step of shaving her head to give something back in thanks for the support that she has received and to remind others of the importance of early detection of symptoms during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Jo is an administrator at Severnside Housing  where she is part of a team responsible for fitting new kitchens and bathrooms in almost 6,000 homes owned by the housing association in Shropshire.

"We are a really close-knit team at work and we like to support good causes. We usually take part in the Macmillan Coffee Morning in the office. This year, things have been very different of course. I was diagnosed and began my treatment in the summer and some of my colleagues are still working from home. We can't all be together at the moment but we can still fundraise for a fantastic cause."

Jo raised more than £700 by braving the shave, with sponsorship continuing to come from friends and colleagues.

"I'm so grateful for all the support that I have had from my partner, family, friends and workmates. They've helped in practical ways by stepping-in with the school run and they have always been there for me. I wanted to do something that helped others who might not have the same kind of support and to remind people how important it is to detect breast cancer early.

"As I had begun to lose my hair, it felt good to turn that into something positive. My little boy, Jacob, was there to cheer me on, which stopped me backing out!"

Jo's fundraising is continuing and she hopes to raise at least £1,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support  Her niece, Parys, is in the final year of a photography degree and has been documenting Jo's cancer journey in her final project. Her photographs, along with work by other students on her course, will also be sold to benefit the charity.

Visit  https://bravetheshave.macmillan.org.uk/shavers/joanne-davies1 to support Jo's fundraising.

Caption:

Jo Davies pictured after braving the shave. 

ENDS

Background for editors

Severnside Housing is a social landlord managing more than 5,700 properties in Shrewsbury and the surrounding rural areas.  The association works closely with residents and partners to support customers and communities.  

 

Severnside is registered as a Charitable Community Benefit Society and is part of Housing Plus Group, a leading provider of quality, affordable homes and care services that customers can trust across Shropshire and Staffordshire.  Housing Plus Group members also include South Staffordshire Housing Association, Stafford and Rural Homes, Care Plus and Severn Homes.  

 

Housing Plus Group is addressing the housing crisis by starting to build 2,000 new homes for rent, shared ownership and outright sale by 2023. The Group has pledged to deliver one-third more hours of care and support for older people in their own homes and to create apprenticeship opportunities for 100 people in the Group and its supply chain within five years. 

 

Its members are inspired by the CLARITY values which are the foundations of its work: Communication, Learning, Accountable, Respectful, Inclusive, Trust and YOU. 

www.severnsidehousing.co.uk 

 


Further information

Mara Hargreaves
Head of marketing and communications 
m:07800 619 863
e:mara.hargreaves@sarh.co.uk

Clare Chick
Marketing and communications officer
m: 07950 254 279
e:clare.chick@housingplusgroup.co.uk

Martin Farrow
CHANGEWORKS Communications
t: + 44 (0) 1785 247588
m: +44 (0)7771 970025
e:mfarrow@changeworkscom.co.uk