A close shave for a cause close to home: Jen raises over £1,400 for Elliott’s Arc

RTTV Lodge No. 9697 was delighted to donate £500 in support of Jen MacDonald, wife of our Worshipful Master, Dave, as she shaved her head to raise money for Elliott’s Arc.

Jen, a teaching assistant at Sacred Heart Primary School in Henley, helped bring the fundraising total to more than £1,400 for a cause with a personal connection to both her and Dave.

The school supports Elliott’s Arc in memory of former pupil Elliott Peto, who died from rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer. Through Alice’s Arc, the fundraising supports research into finding a cure and developing kinder treatments for children affected by the disease.

For Jen, this was a chance to do something practical and meaningful. She had previously shaved her head for Macmillan eight years earlier, and Dave’s connection with Elliott’s father, Chris, through work made this latest challenge particularly close to home.

The head shave took place during the school’s Friday celebration assembly. Headteacher Mrs Sanders cut off Jen’s pigtails before Father Tenny completed the shave, watched by pupils, staff, Elliott’s father Chris and his younger brother Reuben.

Before the scissors came out, donations had already reached £1,246, including RTTV’s contribution. Further support subsequently took the total beyond £1,400.

Chris spoke warmly about Jen’s generosity and the significance of losing one’s hair—a familiar experience for many children undergoing cancer treatment. He also described the continuing support the school has given his family since Elliott’s death.

For our lodge, supporting Jen was an opportunity to put our commitment to charity into action within our own community. We were pleased to contribute to an effort that brought together a local school, a family and so many generous supporters in Elliott’s memory.

Elliott’s Arc has now passed its original £50,000 fundraising target, helping to fund research that offers hope to other families facing childhood cancer.

Our thanks and congratulations go to Jen for taking on the challenge, and to everyone who donated. A remarkable effort for a cause that means so much.

For more information, please see www.alicesarc.org/arc/elliott-peto/