Pharmacy technician shaves off her blue locks to support cancer charity

Sam Smith braves the shave to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support and cancer patients at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust

A Middlesbrough pharmacy worker has raised nearly £1,000 for cancer support by participating in 'Brave the Shave,' a charity fundraising campaign organised in memory of some of her colleagues who lost their battle with cancer.

Sam Smith, a trainee pharmacy technician at the University Hospital of North Tees shaved off her blue hair to support two cancer services: the cancer information centre at her hospital and Macmillan Cancer Support.

The 34-year-old's brave decision began this summer after she commented about shaving her head to cope with the heat. A colleague jokingly offered her £5 to follow through, which sparked the idea to turn the gesture into a charity fundraiser - Brave the Shave.

In a video shared by the University, Sam is seen getting her head shaved at the hospital while her pharmacy colleagues cheer her on.

Sporting a bald head, Sam said: "It doesn't feel like my head right now but it's very liberating.

"I said I wouldn't do it for anything less than £300 so to raise just shy of £1,000 is amazing. Thank you to everybody who has donated – you've made it all worth it.”

Sam shared that their department has lost some colleagues to cancer over the past few years, including a friend this year, which had a big impact on the pharmacy team.

"Most people at some point will be or have been affected by cancer. If we can do something to help support people or make things easier even in a small way, then why not? It's only hair,” she added.

Sam with her colleagues (Photo credit: North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust at the University Hospital of North Tees)

The funds raised by Sam will be split between the hospital's cancer information centre and Macmillan Cancer Support.

The donation to the hospital’s cancer information centre will go toward purchasing headwear for cancer patients under the care of North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust. The centre offers a confidential walk-in service for anyone with questions or concerns about cancer.

To support Sam’s cause, you can donate to her fundraiser for the cancer information centre at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust by visiting here, or contribute to her fundraiser for Macmillan Cancer Support by visiting here.