Rutland woman braves the shave at The Crown in Uppingham to raise money for Kinmonth Unit and Speech Therapy Department at Leicester Royal Infirmary after throat cancer treatment

A throat cancer survivor has braved the shave to give something back to the healthcare workers who saved her life.

Jacqui Salt raised more than £3,000 for Kinmonth Unit and Speech Therapy Department at Leicester Royal Infirmary by shaving her head at a fundraising event at The Crown in Uppingham.

“The support I have received has been absolutely amazing,” the 55-year-old said.

Jacqui was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2020 after choking in her sleep and suffering symptoms thought to be reflux.

Initially she had a tonsillectomy after legions were discovered on the left side, but the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes.

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To remove this she had to have two further surgeries to remove the cancer from her throat.

Jacqui, who lives in Uppingham, said: “It was daunting, particularly as it was during the point of the pandemic when you weren’t allowed anyone there with you.

“I had to go to appointments on my own and I lived alone at that time which was hard.”

Since the operations she has recovered and remained in remission.

Jacqui’s cancer diagnosis also changed her outlook on life turning her from ‘quite an angry person’ to someone who always looks for the positive.

“I have never been negative about it, throughout I kept a positive frame of mind so that I could continue to move forward,” she said.

“The negative was that I had cancer but the positive was that I am still alive. I get to have another day whereas other people aren’t as lucky.

“Because of this I wanted to give back.

“Life is short so you have to grab every day and make the most of everything.”

She was also determined to stay strong for her son, who she chose to shave the first section of her head.

Jacqui first got the idea of doing a charity headshave a couple of years ago, before her cancer diagnosis, following a spell of bad health.

She was told by a friend from Mongolia that in their culture, shaving the head gets rid of the bad experiences.

“Afterwards I felt absolutely great,” said Jacqui.

“I actually quite like it and I have had so many compliments that it suits me.”

Jacqui is keeping her fundraising page open for a few more weeks and anyone wanting to donate can visit: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jacqueline-salt.

Eight-year-old daughter Ellie Grant also had 13 inches of hair cut on March 27 in aid of the Little Princess Trust, which makes real hair wigs for children and young people who have lost their hair because of cancer treatment.

She has raised more than £820 through her JustGiving page.

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