VOLUNTEER for The Long House, the North Devon Hospice’s new outreach centre in Holsworthy, Julia Trayford, has shaved her head to raise funds for the service.

Julia is a professional aromatherapist and reflexologist. She heard about The Long House when one of her clients mentioned it to her just over a year ago.

Julia said: “I phoned North Devon Hospice as I heard they were looking for volunteers to offer complementary therapies to patients and carers once The Long House was open.

“Now I am volunteering every week and have helped dozens of people. It is a fantastic way to put something back and really make a difference right here on my doorstep.”

Julia explained that she was so struck by the positive impact the hospice has had in Holsworthy. It was this that made her decide to do a sponsored head shave as a way of raising funds to support the cause.

She said: “I was approaching my 40th birthday and thought this was a great way to celebrate. I didn’t need any presents or anything like that, I would rather people sponsor me for my head shave instead. I set up an online fundraising page and got my sponsor forms in every place I could think. On the day, we held a bit of an event at my local pub, The Bridge Inn at Bridgerule, where we had cake sales and a raffle to top up my fundraising.

“I set myself the target of £500, so when everything was counted, I was amazed to be told I’d actually raised over £1,200!”

Having seen first-hand how North Devon Hospice makes a difference to local people, Julia said she is delighted to have raised so much from her head shave.

Julia added: “I love volunteering my time with the hospice, because I know how much people benefit from this kind of support. As well as the therapies that I provide, patients and families can access so much from The Long House. Everything is free of charge, but North Devon Hospice is a charity, so they need people to dig deep in order to make it all happen. I’m very proud to have played my part and I’d like to thank everyone who sponsored me too.”

Claire Sherwood, from North Devon Hospice’s fundraising team, said ‘Julia was an inspiration’, adding: “Not only does Julia give her time and expertise every week to help hospice patients and families, she has also gone above and beyond by doing this head shave.

“We were thrilled by the amount of money she raised and every pound will help the hospice care for local people who need our support.”

To find out how to support the hospice’s work at The Long House, contact Claire on 01271 347232 or email [email protected]