Wallace teacher gets ready for the chop

Wallace High School Maths teacher Mrs Charis Elliott is preparing to chop off her locks for Macmillan Cancer Care in order to support two friends currently battling the disease, Mrs Jill Lockhart and Mrs Lynsey Trimble.
By The Newsroom
Published 10th Feb 2016, 08:01 BST
Updated 17th Feb 2016, 06:40 BST

Hair loss is a traumatic consequence of chemotherapy and radiotherapy and Mrs Elliott’s hair will be donated to the charity ‘The Little Princess Trust’, which makes wigs for children with cancer.

Two Wallace pupils will have the opportunity to win the privilege of each cutting a plait at a special event in school on Thursday February 11, where a target of £1,000 is proposed before the chop.

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The school family regards this as a very special chance to show their support for Biology teacher Mrs Jill Lockhart, who is currently receiving treatment for ovarian cancer, and also to two members of staff who have very recently lost their mothers to cancer this year.

In each instance much valued support has been provided by Macmillan Cancer Support both in hospital and home settings.

Macmillan has proved itself to be consistently innovative in communicating with the public that cancer is something you can live with and talk about openly.

They exist to help improve the lives of people affected by cancer, both those living with cancer and also their families and carers. The Macmillan Cancer Information points in Libraries NI provide a range of excellent free publications on such subjects as Talking to Children and Teenagers, When an Adult has Cancer and Work and Cancer: A Guide for People Living With Cancer. Other booklets deal with practicalities such as nutrition and exercise.

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Speaking about the ‘big chop’ Mrs Elliott said: “Both Jill and Lynsey are enduring a great deal but have been inspirational in their strength throughout. Within our school there has been a great deal of support for Jill, and also for Gillian and Wendy who are coming to terms with their losses. I know that Macmillan really helps individuals and families and in cutting my hair I am hoping to raise awareness for such a worthy cause.”

The school’s Charity Committee is made up of Year 13 and 14 pupils and they will be actively promoting the event over the next fortnight. Wallace pupils have raised just over £13,500 for charity since September so the committee is confident the £1,000 target will not only be reached but smashed.

A BT My Donate page has been set up to enable friends, family and former pupils of the school to donate to the cause and can be accessed at

https://mydonate.bt.com/events/charischops/281917