A HAIRDRESSER from Launceston has recently raised £1,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support after completing the Plymouth half marathon.

Charlotte Turvey, a hairdresser from Hush Hair and Beauty in Launceston, recently completed the Plymouth half marathon with colleague, Lisa Palmer Whitehouse, and friends Jess Hawken, Rachel Hopper and Lucy Banbury, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, following her family’s personal encounter with the illness and to illustrate how important the charity is to families across the UK.

Charlotte completed the half marathon in two hours and twelve minutes, and raised an incredible £1,000 for her chosen charity, which she says is a great personal achievement.

Charlotte said: “It went really well; I’m really pleased with the time I completed it in as this is the first half marathon I’ve ever done.”

The idea to take part in the Plymouth half marathon first came about when a client suggested it to her during an appointment at work.

Charlotte added: “I thought, ‘I have working arms and legs, so why not?’”

Another reason for Charlotte’s participation was a case close to her heart, when a close member of family developed the disease, having to go through chemotherapy and treatment.

Charlotte intended to hold the usual fundraising events, such as cake stalls and sales. However, after setting up her own Just Giving page, receiving approximately £350 just from that, as well as the donations from her clients, Charlotte realised she had received a vast amount of support.

Charlotte said: “I’m very lucky to have such generous clients because I think everyone has been touched by cancer in some way. Of course, my family also sponsored me a lot because they’ve been affected by cancer. Macmillan supports people and families going through cancer, and I think it’s a very important charity to raise money for.”