Pupils hold crazy hair day to support Orchard Vale’s Sue

Pupils at a Barnstaple primary school have held a ‘Crazy Hair Day’ fundraiser in support of a long-standing member of staff who lost her hair while being treated for cancer.

Sue Manley has worked at Orchard Vale Community School since it opened in 1999 and was diagnosed with endometrial cancer in November last year.

The school project co-ordinator has undergone chemotherapy at North Devon District Hospital, following a hysterectomy and radiotherapy at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

Sue, 63, returned to work last month and visited each class at the Whiddon Valley school to explain to the children why she had no hair.

“I wanted to let the children know that the medication to make me well had resulted in me losing my hair for a while,” said Sue.

“They were all so lovely and decided to hold a crazy hair day to support me and raise some money for the school PTA and for the Over and Above Fern Centre, which has been helping me during my cancer treatment.

“There were some fantastically creative hairstyles; one child had a farm yard on his head and another had a bottle with their hair coming out like water. One of the children had a message on their hair saying ‘you’ve got this Mrs Manley!’.”

PE teacher Mr Ovey shaved his hair off in support of Sue after pledging to pupils that he’d brave the shave if they could raise more than £1,000.

Sue visited the Fern Centre with some of the staff and pupils to present a cheque for £1,243.70. Pupils were given a tour of the cancer and wellbeing centre, which is funded by the Over and Above hospital charity.

Kate Constable, community fundraiser for Over and Above, said: “It was wonderful to hear about how the staff and pupils at Orchard Vale have been supporting Sue, and very special to be able to welcome them to the Fern Centre to learn more about how it supports cancer patients and their families in North Devon.

“The money the school has raised will help ensure the centre can continue to offer a whole range of free information, complementary therapies, counselling and support for local people at the time they need it most.”