A Great Show at Bakewell for Ian

The sun shone, the crowds flocked to the Bakewell Showground and a dedicated band of collectors, organised by local man Ian Hughes, came out in force to raise money for Weston Park Hospital. It is with great regret that we have to report that Ian lost his battle against cancer, he will be greatly missed by all of us at Weston Park Hospital.

Ian Hughes and his team presented a cheque to the Cancer Appeal for £7,700. This fantastic fundraising is the result of a year long effort by Ian and his friends and family. And it didn't stop there. They were back shaking their buckets around the Showground this year as well which will add another £1,500 to their total.

Ian and Sharon and their team at this years Bakewell Show

It all started at last years Bakewell Show when Ian had his long flowing locks - which he had not had cut at all since leaving school - shaved off in front of the crowds in the main show ring. Here he is before the head shave:-

Ian before the headshave

Ian had, at that time, recently started treatment at Weston Park Hospital for lymphoma - or cancer of the lymphatic system. He had decided to 'do some good' with his treasured hair which he would loose through chemotherapy treatment. But he was not alone!

Joining him for the head shave were his friends Sharon and Mark Wakeman - Sharon had also in previous years been treated at the hospital for a similar cancer. Between them they raised £1,400 for their head shaves. And it was such a brave thing to do in front of all those people. Here they are in the 'after' photo:-

Bakewell show

But they hadn't finished - throughout the ups and downs of his treatment and throughout the year Ian, along with Sharon and his friends, has been putting on bands, holding collections and generally working towards raising as much money for Weston Park as possible. We thank all of them so much for their efforts.