A mother’s bold gesture sparks a wave of hope and unity in the fight against breast cancer. But here’s where it gets controversial—should acts of solidarity like this be more than symbolic? At Cleethorpes Leisure Centre last week, Janice, a devoted member of the community, made a powerful statement by shaving her head during her regular Senior Circuits class to support Breast Cancer UK and raise funds for research.
This year has been a storm of challenges for Janice’s family. Their daughter Janine was diagnosed with Stage 3 aggressive breast cancer, a brutal blow that came just one day after her major surgery. The family’s life was suddenly turned upside down by this devastating news.
As Janine faces chemotherapy, her hair is beginning to fall out, a visible reminder of the harsh battle she is fighting. To stand by her side in the most personal way, Janice decided to shave off her own hair, joining her daughter on this difficult journey and hoping to inspire others to contribute to the cause.
Janice isn’t new to daring challenges undertaken for charity. Last year, she completed a charity skydive to raise funds for BLESMA, a support organization for veterans who have lost limbs. This cause is very close to her heart because her other daughter, Lisa, who served 18 years as an army medic, is an above-the-knee amputee and a beneficiary of BLESMA’s services.
Just before the moment of her head shave, Janice opened up about her reasons: “Today is all about showing support for Janine. We can’t fully grasp what she’s enduring, but with chemotherapy underway and her hair falling out, I wanted to say to her, ‘I’m with you on this.’”
She added, “I floated the idea with my friends at the leisure centre last week and their response has been amazing. That’s when I asked Lisa to come along to my class and shave my hair off.”
Janice took a brave step—she didn’t settle for a simple trim; she went all the way with a complete shave. “I’ve got my bobble hat ready! Janine is showing such incredible courage, making it easier for all of us to be strong.”
In a heartfelt scene, surrounded by friends, staff, and family, Lisa playfully styled a brief mohawk before shaving Janice’s hair completely. The room was filled with applause, cheers, and heartfelt emotion, a vivid reminder of how community and family love provide strength during the toughest times.
But this is the part most people miss: Janice’s action wasn’t just a personal tribute—it was a bold gesture aimed at raising awareness and inspiring hope for everyone touched by breast cancer. That day, the leisure centre transformed from a simple fitness venue into a beacon of compassion, bravery, and togetherness.
Thanks to Janice’s courage, over £350 has already been raised within a week. She’s also created a Just Giving page to encourage others to donate and keep the momentum going: www.justgiving.com/page/janice-colebrooke-1
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer in the UK. Organizations like Breast Cancer UK tirelessly work to fight this disease through education, cutting-edge research, policy advocacy, and collaborative efforts across communities.
What do you think—is symbolic support like Janice’s enough, or should we demand more direct actions to help those affected by breast cancer? Share your thoughts and join the conversation below!
