Skin cancer survivor raises more than £1,400 by 'braving the shave'

Wednesday 01 September 2021

An islander who ‘braved the shave’ last week and had all her hair cut off has raised over £1,400 for Macmillan Cancer Support Jersey.

Gillian Galli sat in the barber’s chair on Saturday afternoon as part of an event on the Pomme D’Or Farm estate, which, combined with Gillian's efforts, raised in excess of £2,000 for local charities.

A survivor of skin cancer herself, Gillian previously told Express that her decision to take to the barber's seat had come following two well-known faces on the estate passing away, and losing her best friend to cancer too.

Pictured: Following her trim, Gillian was on hand to help call out some of the day's bingo numbers.

Though she found the idea of getting the chop "a bit scary", Gillian said that when it came to it on Saturday, it "felt absolutely great", with the cut taking about 10 minutes.

She added that donations were still coming in via her JustGiving page.

One of the main organisers of the event, Judith Beaumont, said everyone on the estate was very proud of Gillian for her efforts, remarking that it was a "big thing for her" considering she previously had long hair right down her back.

The day also included table-top bingo and a raffle, and music from local musicians, Michael Wood and Luke Jarvis, as part of a community event that has now become an annual fixture on the estate - whose community garden won a Royal Horticultural Society award in July - for around 12 years.

Pictured: On the day, the event raised around £600 in cash, as well as the £1,400 Gillian had raised online.

The event itself raised around £600 in cash, which, combined with Gillian's shaving fundraiser, meant they raised in excess of £2,000 altogether.

While Gillian's money will be going to Macmillan, the rest of the funds raised from the day's events will be going to Dementia Jersey.

Judith paid tribute to the two members of the Pomme D'Or Farm community they'd lost.

"We've brought some little brass plaques saying 'in loving memory' of them, because they were here with us and they shared the garden with them.

"It's been sad but we at least felt they were part of it with us."

CLICK HERE to donate to Gillian's fundraiser.