A GRAN-of one has marked her 45th birthday by shaving her head to raise money to help cancer victims.

Karen Stevenson, on Devon Street, Leigh, 'Braved the Shave' at Headmasters Barbers on Manchester Road on Wednesday, ahead of her birthday on Sunday.

She raised £300 for Macmillan Cancer Support and the chemotherapy treatment centre at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary.

The kind hearted birthday girl, who previously had long hair, decided to get involved in the fundraising effort in support of her good friend Gary Sheeley, who is currently battling bowel cancer.

Karen said: “I feel really proud of myself for going ahead with the shave and I feel fantastic now I have had it cut.

“I have seen what Gary has to go through with his treatment and the work that nurses do, so to do anything to help research into the disease and to help those nurses is great for me.

“I got so much support from my family and friends for doing this and Gary himself said that he was really proud of me, which made my day really.

“My two-year-old grandson is really made up with my new haircut and keeps rubbing my head and laughing.

"Anyone thinking about doing the head shave should definitely do it, it seems scary at first but once you think of how that money could help others it is all worth it.

“Plus I feel like I look younger now and I love the fact I will not have to wash my hair for a while as well until it goes a bit.”

Brave the Shave is a fundraising drive designed to inspire solidarity with cancer sufferers who lose their hair during treatment.

For more information on Brave the Shave visit bravetheshave.org.uk.