Former Kennet School teacher in charity head shave appeal

Teacher with Parkinson's raising funds

A FORMER Kennet School teacher will be losing her hair for charity.

Monique Warham will be ‘Shaving for Shaking’ in a sponsored head shave to raise funds for Parkinson’s UK.

The 56-year-old was diagnosed with the disease in 2014.

Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition which leads to a loss of nerve cells in the brain.

The disease leads to tremors, rigidity and slowness of movement.

Mrs Warham said: “Because of Parkinson’s, I can’t take on extreme physical challenges but I knew I wanted to do something drastic to fundraise, so I came up with the head shave.

“I am nervous, especially about how members of the public will react afterwards, but I hope that my new look might spark conversations so I can tell people why I did it.

“People don’t understand much about Parkinson’s so as well as raising vital funds, I want to raise awareness of the condition too.”

The hair-raising experience is the latest in Mrs Warham’s fundraising activities.

Since her diagnosis, she has raised £2,250 for Parkinson’s UK through a non-uniform day at Kennet School.

This time, she aims to raise £1,000 which will be split between Parkinson’s UK and the University of Oxford, where Parkinson’s research projects are currently taking place.

Director of fundraising at Parkinson’s UK, Paul Jackson-Clark, said: “I’d like to wish Monique the very best of luck with her brave head shave.

“I hope her story will inspire others to take up a challenge for Parkinson’s UK.

“As the UK’s Parkinson’s support and research charity we’re leading the work
to find a cure, and we’re closer than
ever.

“But our work is dependent on donations.”

To sponsor Mrs Warham visit her online giving page at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MoniqueWarham

She will brave the shave at Mac Hair, Hungerford, on Saturday, February 27, at 3pm.