Copnor 80-year-old raises £1,500 for children's charity with her colourful mohican
INSTEAD of presents and a party, an ‘amazing’ great-grandmother celebrated turning 80 by sporting a green mohican for charity.
Jill Morgan, from Copnor, transformed her locks into a colourful short look in a bid to do something meaningful for Help 4 Special Children, a charity close to her heart.
With an initial goal of £500, brave Jill successfully tripled this and has raised more than £1,500 for the good cause, with help from friends and family.
Jill said: ‘I wanted to abseil down the Spinnaker Tower but that wasn’t possible - I wanted to do something that stands out a bit.
‘It was great fun and I knew it was going to something so good which I have always supported.’
Supporters were asked to vote for a dye colour for the new hairdo, and the most popular was green - which was extra special for Jill as it reminded her of her late son Trevor’s green mohican.
Jill’s other son and two daughters were supportive of her idea to raise money instead of receiving presents to celebrate eight decades.
‘They thought it was a great idea - first of all they found it hard because they just wanted to have a big party,’ said Jill, who was brought up in a Chichester children’s home and credits Nurse Jeffries with teaching her to be open-minded.
‘At 80 you have got everything you need. When you get to my age, you think more seriously about things and I wanted to do something that made a difference.
‘I tried it for two days with the mohawk - I got so much attention I thought it has got to come off now.’
The generous act will make a big difference to the charity, which has a shop in Copnor Road frequented by Jill.
Sharon Doran, one of the directors, said: ‘At Help 4 Special Children we have got to know Jill as a customer. She is funny and caring with an amazing spirit of generosity and positivity.
‘It did not surprise me at all that Jill would fundraise in this way. Jill always walks in with a smile on her face and lifts your spirits, she’s amazing.’
Visit help4specialchildren.com to learn more.