There was hardly a dry eye at the Beacon Centre in Charlestown yesterday afternoon as 16 year old Kaisha Fletcher had her hair shaved off to fulfil a pledge made to her brother Brendan Lysaght before he tragically died of cancer four years ago, aged just 18.
"I'm doing it in memory of my brother, I promised him before he died that I'd do it, that was age 12 and I'm 16 now" Kaisha told the Salford Star before the deed "My motto is…`To every girl their hair is their prized possession but for me it's something that can make a difference to somebody else'. I'm really excited."
Kaisha agreed to have her hair shaved off to raise money for The Christie, and in another moving gesture the cut was performed by Lisa Bryan who herself has terminal lung cancer…
"I've got cancer myself and know how daunting it is for someone to shave your hair" she explained "I'm not a hairdresser, but shaved my own hair off when I had chemo at the beginning of this year. I'll do anything to help Christie's brilliant charity, I still go there now.
"The more money we get the merrier" she added "I see they said no to breast cancer drugs this week because they cost £90,000 - they offered to do it cheaper and they still said `No'. My treatment for four months cost £65,000 and that's not to cure it, it's just to give me a few more months on my life. I take every day as I can…"
Over a hundred people waving union jacks cheered and cried with emotion as Kaisha's locks were shaved off by Lisa, while Brendan's cousin Kris Lysaght provided the commentary.
"I can't believe she's doing it, it's amazing, I wouldn't do it and I've only got a little bit of hair" said Kris before the shave "On the first anniversary from when Brendan died, I thought I'd turn it from a negative day into a positive day, to have maybe a street party to celebrate his life rather than mope around all day and it's spiralled on from there really
"Every year since then, on the anniversary of his death, we've done a big family fun day, a community event, just to get everyone out and have a good day during the summer because we want to remember him for the good things rather than the fact that he's gone."
The event this year featured sounds by The Vacancy Project, dance performance by Funky Dance Group and songs from Laura Wakefield, plus a raffle, tombola, name the bear and lots of stalls all to raise money for a Teenage Cancer Trust unit at The Christie.
"Kaisha is raising money for The Christie hospital itself, while the whole event is raising money for the Teenage Cancer Trust unit at the hospital" Chris explained "We thought we'd combine both and have Kaisha's head shave as the centrepiece. The aim of today is to just have a good time."
Indeed, after overcoming all the emotions, even Kaisha seemed to be enjoying the moment, and those cheering and watching agreed that the new cut suited her… `She looks like Sinead O'Connor' said one admiring lady.
Kaisha's mum, Claire Fletcher, was equally impressed… "I was a bit shaky and nervous but I'm fine now it's done" she said "Kaisha came up with the idea herself. I was shocked but happy because it's for a good cause. She promised this when she lost her brother to cancer four year's ago and she's done it. I'm very, very proud of her. She's looks well. I'm a very proud mum."
Lots of money was raised throughout the day for both charities and Salford City UNISON has pledged a further £50 towards Kaisha's fundraising efforts…
"I'm so proud to be here today to watch a very brave young girl have her head shaved" said UNISON's Assistant Branch Secretary Diane Ogg "We're all extremely proud of her."
Anyone wishing to donate can still do so – click here
For further details of Brendan's Day see the facebook page – click here
Photos by Steven Speed
For more photos see Salford Star picture stories – click here
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