WHEN Alison Ravetta lost mum, Phyllis to cancer in October 2001 she never forgot the kindness and professionalism of the nurses who provided palliative care through that darkest of times.

Each year she vowed to do something to repay them and this year it was a head shave that netted more than £1,000 for Macmillan nurses.

Alison is personal lines manager with FR Ball Insurance on Frogmore Street in Abergavenny and she told the Chronicle how her fellow staff members rallied to the cause of the day of the trim.

‘A lady from Serendipity came along to do the deed and we had a bit of fun along the way, going through various styles, including a Mohican at one point. There were lots of laughs.’

Alison, originally from South London settled in Abergavenny in 1987. She added, ‘I will never forget the great nursing we had from Macmillan, they were very helpful and supportive and I just wanted to do my bit to repay them.’