It will be a case of hair today, gone tomorrow for a business advisor in Coventry who is raising money for a local hospice in memory of her best friend’s father.
Jo Prosser, who supports start-up businesses in her day job with the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, is going to be losing her locks as part of a charity head-shave in aid of The Myton Hospices.
Jo has already smashed her target of £200 ahead of the shave at the Rose and Woodbine pub in Coventry on Friday, August 5, which she is doing in memory of William Jones who passed away recently and whose family are big supporters and fundraisers for Myton.
And Jo is hoping that the clean-cut style will help her in her next challenge – an abseil down Coventry Cathedral on September 17, in aid of the same cause.
She said: “William was my best friend Adam’s dad and was such a lovely guy. When he passed away, the family opted to have donations for Myton Hospice rather than flowers at the funeral.
“I wanted to do something and a sponsored head-shave was mentioned when I’d had a few drinks and I decided I would do it. There will be a few us but, let’s just say, I’ve got more hair to lose than everyone else!
“Then, when I was scrolling through social media, I saw the abseil down Coventry Cathedral was happening in September and thought why not give it a go.
“Someone did say having no hair might make me more aerodynamic as I descend the Cathedral! Every little helps, I guess!
“I’m definitely more scared of the head-shave and a few people have said I don’t have to go through with it, but I’ve raised quite a bit of money now so I’ve got to do it.
“Myton is such a great cause and William was a great guy, so I’m happy that I can do something that’s a little bit of fun and raise some much-needed money.”
Keely Hancox, operations manager at the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Jo joined us earlier in the year and is absolutely fantastic in the support she offers to start-up businesses in the region.
“Everyone here is right behind her and wishes her the best of luck over the next few weeks having already raised over £700 which is a phenomenal amount of money.”
Cat Stuart-Yapp, events manager at The Myton Hospices, said: “We are absolutely blown away by the amazing efforts Jo is making to support Myton in memory of William.
“Completing just one of these challenges is fantastic – but to be shaving her head and abseiling down Coventry Cathedral is doubly wonderful.
“We have to raise £9.1 million every year to provide our services, free of charge, to terminally ill patients across Coventry and Warwickshire.
“And we can’t do it without amazing people like Jo – and those who are supporting her fantastic feats.
“We hope people will continue to dig deep and donate to help her raise as much money as possible.
“Thank you.”
To sponsor Jo go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jo-prosser2
Pictured: Jo is in the centre with, left to right, Maureen Jones, Meganne Gill-Swift, Cat Stuart-Yapp (both from The Myton Hospices), Keely Hancox (Chamber)