Kettering sixth former braves the shave in tribute to 'lovely' auntie who died after contracting Covid-19

A Grafton Underwood teenager who wanted to pay tribute to her 'lovely' aunt has shaved off her long hair to raise money for a cancer charity.

When Ellie Coles, a sixth form student at Bishop Stopford School, heard that her aunt Louise had died after contracting coronavirus, having suffered from lung cancer, her immediate reaction was to do something positive in her memory.

Less than an hour later she had set up a fundraising page for Cancer Research UK and organised for mum Julia to help chop her mid-back-length hair off.

Ellie, 18, said: "Once I found out about my aunt having cancer I thought about doing something. After hearing about her passing away I thought 'I'm going to shave my hair off'.

"We heard she'd passed away on the Wednesday night (April 29) and I set up the page that evening. My target was £500.

"She had a brain tumour that had spread to her lungs so she had an underlying health condition.

"Before I went to bed, it was on £700, When I woke up in the morning, it was over £1,000. This morning (Friday, May 1) it was over £3,700.

"I'm so shocked. I never in a million years would have expected to raise that. I'm speechless."

Her father Will's two older brothers - celebrity uncle Rev Richard Coles, who is vicar of St Mary's Church in Finedon, and her uncle Andy, Louise's husband, both tweeted out links in support of their niece.

Rev Coles said on Twitter: "My niece Ellie is doing this in memory of her aunt. If you can spare anything that would be great."

Andy Coles, who grew-up in Kettering and is a Peterborough city councillor, wrote: "My splendid niece going (sic) a Kojak for cancer research #wholovesyababy #Ido!"

Mr Coles had announced earlier on Twitter: "I am very sorry to have to report the death of my wife Louise this afternoon. She had been unwell for some time with cancer, but caught coronavirus even while shielding. Thankfully we had time to prepare, but this was too soon."

Ellie was studying for her A-Levels before the lockdown and hopes to be studying primary education at Sheffield Hallam University in September.

Her mum Julia, who is deputy headteacher at Rowan Gate Primary School in Wellingborough, said: "Ellie told me 'I want to remember Louise. Can I shave my hair off?' I told her to sleep on the idea but an hour later she'd set up the charity page.

"I sat there when she did it and I'm astounded. She's so brave and I am so, so proud of her. People's generosity has been astounding.

"Louise was such a friendly, happy, positive person. She didn't really get thrown by life - she was a life-half-full person not a life-half-empty."

After lockdown has been lifted, Ellie plans to donate her blonde wavy hair to the Little Princess Trust charity to make into wigs for children.

She added: "It is such a devastating disease. Our family has been affected more than once by it. If they can find a cure then I will do anything I can to help. Shaving my head is nothing compared to the work they are doing.

"Louise was an amazing person. She did so much work for other people. At family gatherings she was so easy to talk to and she had a laugh. She was a lovely auntie."

To donate to Ellie's page click here.

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