IT'S her crowning glory, her favourite feature, but now Niki Ashton has decided to brave the shave in memory of two good friends.

Niki, who lives in Great Lever, is to have her hair chopped and head shaved to raise money for The Christie Hospital.

Like many, lockdown was proving to be a hair-raising experience for her locks, and rather than stressing over her tresses, she decided to put them to good use and raise money and awareness for a good cause.

Niki, a well know face in Bolton having worked with young people and their families since 2002, will undergo the headshave on Friday.

Niki said she was overwhelmed with the generosity of those who had donated.

"I had hoped it would raise £2,000 but I am £125 off £3,000, people have been so generous, " said Niki, "I wanted to raise money for The Christie because I have lost two of my good friends Tina Hesketh and Aileen Daly to cancer."

She added: "My hair is the one thing I like about myself, but I have been self-isolating because I have MS and, how I don't know, still managed to get coronavirus.

"My hair was going grey and I refuse to queue to get hair dye so I thought I would shave it off and raise money in memory of my friends, who died way before their time"

Niki, has always had long hair and has only had it short once, over ten years ago, before growing it back.

Niki said: "People say that I am brave, I am not brave, people who have cancer and are undergoing treatment are brave, I'm just having my head shaved."

The headshave and the Niki's new look will be showcased on a live stream at Friday at 6.30pm.

"My husband will be the one with the clippers," said Niki, who has done a 650ft zip wire and a fire walk for The Christie Hospital.

She said: "I found out I was afraid of heights doing the zip wire and with the headshave I'm more nervous about what the shape of my head will look like!"

To donate to the appeal, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/nicola-ashton7?