A GREENFIELD girl turned the tragic death of her great grandmother into a purposeful experience by raising more than £1,500 for charity.
Melissa McDermott, 20, gave up her job to help care for her 87-year-old relative Kathleen Betts, who had bowel cancer and passed away in August.
And in her great gran’s memory, Melissa had her head shaved at a World’s Biggest Coffee Morning at the Satellite Centre in Greenfield to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Friends, family and supporters, including Saddleworth Parish Council chairman Enid Firth, queued up to snip off sections of her hair and made donations before Jason Bradshaw, a youth worker from the centre, shaved it hair off evenly.
Afterwards, balloons were released in memory of people who had died from cancer.
Melissa’s efforts have raised than £1,500 so far and she admitted she was delighted by the support.
She said: “I’ve only ever had three haircuts in my life and I think I cried at all of them. I can’t believe I am having all my hair shaved off.
“All I want to do is raise money for a fantastic charity that has helped both my family and thousands of others.
“The team presented me with a memory box with a piece of my hair and a giant glass with the inscription: I’ve done my bit.
“Everyone just got behind the idea. It was very touching. My great gran would have been proud.
“And I’d like to thank Sue Palfrey, community officer for Saddleworth and Lees for her support – I couldn’t have done it without her help.”
Melissa’s mother, Kerry McDermott, 42, attended the ‘big snip’ with her mother, Adrienne Hylton.
She said: “It was all very moving. Everyone was in tears. I’m so very proud of Melissa.
“She’s shocked everyone. She was a typical party girl – but she gave it up. It’s changed our relationship.”
The coffee morning was arranged by the Saddleworth Youth Forum, a group of teenage volunteers, and offered activities, face-painting, a raffle, cakes and refreshments.
You can still support Melissa by donating on her Just Giving Page: https://www.justgiving.com/Melissa-McDermott/
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