Cancer sufferer Liz Horspole, who is being treated at QEH, enjoyed an emotional and wonderfully memorable May Day Bank Holiday.
After months of treatment here, she was discharged on Monday (May 7) just in time to see her 12-year-old granddaughter, Chloe Richardson, have her hair cut short to fundraise for the hospital’s Shouldham Ward and chemotherapy room charitable funds. Each stands to get about £700 thanks to the schoolgirl’s remarkable efforts.
For Liz, who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in January after finding a lump under her arm, it was the first time she had been outside in months. And the sunny bank holiday weather only added to her appreciation of it all.
Liz (58), a carer at Millbridge Care Home in Heacham, said: “I’m quite an emotional person anyway but to be discharged on Monday in time to see Chloe’s haircut just meant so much to me.
“The nurses knew it was happening and had said to me that they would try to get me able to go. It was lovely – a very emotional day.”
As part of her sponsored haircut, Chloe, who lives in Snettisham, organised a coffee morning with cake stall and a raffle which had more than 40 prizes donated by local people and businesses.
At the event her grandmother received a big morale-boosting lift from a cancer survivor.
Liz said: “A lady came over to me and said ‘How you are now was me five years ago. Look at how I am now – you can get through this’.
“We have had just so many messages of support, it’s been amazing. And the doctors and nurses at the hospital have been brilliant.”
Chloe came up with the idea for the fundraiser after learning that her grandmother would lose her hair during cancer treatment.
She said of her big chop, which saw 12 inches cut off: “I was quite excited. I was pleased to be able to support Nanna.”
Mum Sam Rix said: “I’m very proud of her. It’s lovely for mum and Chloe to be back together again because there were some times during the treatment when it just wasn’t possible.”
The family is very grateful for all the help and donations and to Snettisham Royal British Legion for the loan of its hall at no cost.
Laurence Morlaàs, fundraising executive for The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Chloe made an impression when I met her in March to discuss her fundraising ideas. For one so young it was striking to see how determined she was to do all she could to show support for her grandmother.
“She was also very modest as regards what she thought she could fundraise. I am delighted for her that she has done so well and we are truly grateful.”
ENDS
Main photo: From left – Sam Rix, Liz Horspole and Chloe Richardson
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