Nurse’s headshave in memory of ‘remarkable’ mum

Judie is hoping to top £1,000 for Cancer Research to honour her mum, Iris Hopkins. Mrs Hopkins worked in both medical and mental health, and she opened one of the first nurseries in the area. She died in September last year, aged 77.

Clean shaven Judie shed her locks at Rosegrove Unity Club at the hands of hairdresser Steve Laird and his assistant, Jason.

Said Judie: “We’ve had a lot of support. My daughter, Elizabeth, and her partner Frank Smalley are members at Rosegrove and I’d like to thank the club for the venue and the donations, and to thank Steve and Jason for their talent and time.

“It was wonderful to be sponsored by NR Engineering, the staff from Glad Rags and Burnley FC supporters as well as family and friends.

“Mum was a truly remarkable person. She was born in Colne as Iris Whalley and moved to Burnley after having five children. Her nursing career led her to work in both Nelson and Burnley but she had to leave hospital life when she had her last child who was very ill.”

After running the nursery on Todmorden Road, Mrs Hopkins gained her RNMH at Calderstones and became the manager of a short-stay home in Brierfield for people with disabilities and she later worked in a nursing home looking after the elderly.

Her husband, John, died when he was 56. When she retired she dedicated even more time to her handicapped son, Craig, taking him on holidays abroad. When she was 69 cancer struck and she lost her left leg.

The disease returned six years later and it was in June last year that Mrs Hopkins was given months to live.

Added Judie: “She touched the lives of so many people.”

To contribute to Judie’s total go to JustGiving.com. Then search for Judith Batey.