In a touching tribute to his late brother, Mark Jones, who died last December following a diagnosis of prostate cancer, Kearsley resident Bobby Jones recently shaved his head to raise funds for us.

Mark, a beloved local builder known for his “kind and funny” nature, received exceptional care and support from the hospice during his illness.

Throughout his two year illness, having initially received chemotherapy at the Christie before being told his cancer was incurable, Mark spent time in the hospice twice.

“We were absolutely amazed at the way the staff at the hospice treated Mark and the family,” explained Bobby. “The capacity for loving there – because that’s what it is – was fantastic and we hadn’t expected that.”

To honour his brother's memory, Bobby organised a sponsored headshave, setting an initial target of £500. However, the local community rallied behind his efforts, with generous donations pouring in from family, friends, and members of the local horse-riding community, where Bobby is a well-known photographer.

The headshave proved a resounding success, generating around £1,500 for Bolton Hospice and providing Bobby with a heartwarming experience to remember his brother.