A BEWDLEY woman has lost her locks in aid of a cancer research charity after her grandfather was diagnosed with the illness.

Harriet Shields, 23, underwent a sponsored head shave to collect funds for Cancer Research UK last Thursday at the Mercure Kidderminster Hotel, Habberley Road, Bewdley, where she works at the facility’s Feel Good Health Club.

After finding out earlier this year her grandfather, Colin Jordan, 72, who also lives in Bewdley, had been diagnosed with cancer, she contacted a hairdresser through work and started fundraising.

She said: “My granddad has just been diagnosed with cancer and I wanted to raise money for him and support him when he was losing his hair.

“My hair previously went down to the middle of my back and I have not had it this short since I was very very young. I was a bit scared about it before it was done but had been looking forward to it and it went great. It took about half an hour, although it seemed ages but it was really good.

“It feels really weird now, I have to get used to my head feeling cold, using less shampoo when I wash it and everything but I am really glad I have done it - it is all for a good cause and doesn’t look too bad. My colleagues, family and friends all laughed - actually they were saying how good it looked.”

Miss Shields had been aiming to raise about £500 for the charity but has already hit about £800 through pledged, collected and online donations.

Cancer Research UK works around the world to try and beat cancer through research, fighting it on all fronts, finding new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat it in order to save more lives.

The charity is entirely funded by the public through fundraising and donations.

Miss Shields has set up a Just Giving fundraising site where family and friends can support her by pledging money and leaving messages. One commented: “Well done Harriet, a worthy cause, you should be proud of yourself.”

There is still time to donate to Miss Shields by visiting her fundraising page online at justgiving.com/harriet-shields2014