Family shave, cut and tumble for cancer charity

WHEN Karen Bertellotti lost her papa to pancreatic cancer fifteen years ago, it hit her hard.

It was such a cruel illness, indiscriminate of who it affected and sadly a condition that, directly or indirectly, will affect most people’s lives.

Last year was a memorable one for Karen because she turned 40 – but also because it turned out to be ‘the year of cancer’.

Her aunt passed away from lung cancer, her friend’s mum lost her battle with pancreatic cancer and her young cousin was diagnosed with sarcoma.

As a new year dawned, and Karen accepted she had reached another milestone, she decided she wanted to do something worthwhile – and something to help victims of cancer.

But in order to encourage people to part with their cash, it would need to be something spectacular.

People had always commented on her beautiful long curly hair, so she decided to ask people to sponsor her to shave it off.

It was the closest thing she could think of to a fundraiser that would resonate with people affected by cancer, many of whom lose their hair through chemotherapy.

When the mum-of-three told her family, she expected them to be shocked.

But instead, they were exceptionally supportive – and even offered to join in.

Hairdresser husband Nick Gilmore – who lost his papa to lung cancer – suggested doing a 24-hour sponsored haircutting session at the couple’s salon.

And son Cian, 15, came up with the idea of shaving his head too, just like mum.

Daughter Skye, 8, who is a keen gymnast, proposed a 10-hour marathon gymnastics session.

And even youngest of the brood Popi, 7, was keen to get in on the act by having her long locks chopped off and donating them to the Little Princess Trust, a charity that makes wigs for children suffering hair loss.

Costume supervisor Karen decided she wanted to donate her hair too – but joked that, with too much white in it, she may need to find a charity making wigs for adults instead!

It became a fun family project, with everyone preparing for their challenge and collecting as much sponsor money for cancer charities as they could muster.

Recently, the Gilmorotti’s (as they’ve become known) cut, chopped and cartwheeled their way to a successful fundraiser, raising an impressive £1600, and smashing their original target.

Karen’s and Cian’s heads feel a little colder, Nick has a couple of blisters on his hands, Skye needs to put her feet up and little Popi has a new hairstyle…but they all agree it was a great day in aid of lots of great causes – and a hair-raising experience.

And Karen has adopted a new mantra…hair today, gone tomorrow!