Salon owner Stephen Trowles, of Stephen John in Bury St Edmunds, paid surprise visit by BBC’s The One Show after being named its ‘person of the week’
A salon owner from Suffolk who supports women going through cancer treatment was given a shock after the BBC’s The One Show paid a surprise visit.
Stephen Trowles, 50, who runs Stephen John Salon, based in Lawson Place, Moreton Hall, Bury St Edmunds, has been recognised as ‘person of the week’ by the TV programme after presenter Jeff Brazier visited on Friday.
Stephen, who lives in Bury and is known as Steve, has worked with the cancer unit at West Suffolk Hospital for more than a decade, helping women as they lose their hair through chemotherapy.
He also works with My WiSH Charity to host ‘Mama B’ days, which are a once-a-month wellbeing day, giving cancer treatment patients the chance to have free treatments at the salon with the help of volunteers.
Steve said: “I was told I had been put forward for a NHS national award and so I didn’t think anything of it when a film crew turned up at the salon.
“Then when it was revealed it was The One Show, I couldn’t believe it and I never in a million years saw it coming.
“I burst into tears, I was completely blown away by it and it was just the biggest shock of my life.
“Jeff Brazier actually turned up and interviewed me and I spoke to Alex Jones who was on the screen. It was just amazing.”
Steve was nominated for the award by Catherine King, who is a long-term friend and used to be his assistant manager while he was training in hairdressing.
He is inspired by his mum Brenda Avison who died in 2016 and Steve has helped to raise more than £36,000 for My WiSH Charity.
“I’ve been helping to support the cancer unit at West Suffolk Hospital for many years and have loved working alongside my WiSH charity.
“Losing my mum left a huge hole in my heart but hosting the Mama B’s sessions in her memory and supporting women through cancer is just a blessing.
“I don’t do this for any recognition but to see things go from strength to strength and to now be noticed by The One Show is incredible.”
Sally Daniels, fund-raising manager at My WiSH charity, helps Steve to run Mama B’s each month.
“I see the difference Steve has made to the ladies from the moment they walk in the door to talk about losing their hair, to supporting them as it grows back,” she said.
“It’s a scary experience but he is always there with a hug and lots of reassurance.
“Mama B’s is such a special day, everyone feels so loved and pampered and many new friendships have been made over the past two years”.
Mama B’s is held on the first Monday of each month at Stephen John Salon.
