Phyllis Tuckwell supporter Ava Tillyer recently raised £621.90 for the local Hospice Care charity when she was sponsored to have her head shaved. Ava took on the challenge to support her sister Wendy and brother Mark, who have both been diagnosed with cancer. Wendy is being cared for Phyllis Tuckwell, which provides supportive and end of life care for patients and families in Surrey and Hampshire who are living with an advanced or terminal illness, and Mark is being cared for by Katharine House Hospice in Oxfordshire.

“Both Wendy and Mark have been unbelievably brave when facing up to their fight with cancer, which they have both approached with humour and positivity,” said Ava.

“We would like to thank Ava for taking on this challenge and raising this fantastic amount of money for Phyllis Tuckwell,” said Samantha West, Community Fundraiser at Phyllis Tuckwell. “All of our care is given to our patients and their families free of charge, but as the NHS/Government only covers 20% of our costs, we have to raise over £20,000 a day to do this. £621 is enough to pay for nearly a week’s care from one of our counsellors, who can help our patients and their families cope with the emotional impact of living with an advanced or terminal illness.”

If you would like to find out more about Phyllis Tuckwell and how to support its care, visit www.pth.org.uk.