A TAVISTOCK woman who is soon to celebrate five years being cancer free has shaved her locks off and raised a staggering £2,000 for the charity that was always by her side.

Elizabeth Beckett, a teaching assistant at Tavistock Primary School, was told five years ago that she had cervical cancer, and from the point of being diagnosed, throughout the treatment she received and all through her recovery the Mustard Tree Centre was there for her and her family.

She said: ‘Without the wonderful staff I honestly don’t think I would have kept my sanity or even completed the treatment. When I just needed space to cry, sleep or question everything, they were there. Once I started feeling better but still had wobbles they were there supporting at every step on my journey back to “normality”.’

Elizabeth is soon to be discharged from the care of the oncology department and felt the ‘time was right’ to give something back to the charity that helped.

She decided to shave her head and raise money for The Mustard Tree Fund which supports the Mustard Tree Centre — and so far, she has raised £2,060.

Her children Samantha and Wren and her husband Tim were all involved in the shave which took place on May 24.

‘I wanted to raise £500 but I never thought it would be £2,000 — people all over the place have been so generous, it’s fantastic. I am humbled by it but it’s going to such a good cause. I really believe that if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be here.’

She added: ‘The centre has helped many people both practically and emotionally and we’re helping it continue to build on this amazing work.’

The Mustard Tree Cancer Support Centre is for anybody affected by cancer and for their families, carers and loved ones. The centre is also available at outreach clinics (Triangle Centres) at Kingsbridge, Liskeard and Tavistock one day a week. To donate, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/elizabeth-beckett6