BRAVE Alison Colyer said she loved her new look after losing her locks for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The 27-year-old care leader at The Cedars care home in Purton went under the clippers on Thursday after raising around £900 in sponsorship.

Ten years ago her grandfather, John Winders, died aged 87,within two weeks of being diagnosed with bowel cancer which spread through his body.

Her grandmother and grandfather, Jean and Alan Carter, have also fought their own battles with the disease.

"My family has been affected a lot by cancer, and Macmillan have been a great support to us," she said.

"My grandparents are the pillars of our family, they're the ones who keep us all in check and keep us strong.

"It is something that affects everybody in some way and I just wanted to do something to raise some money and awareness of it.

"I don't do things by halves and it is something I'm very passionate about."

She said her mum, Maggie Newton, had been apprehensive about the headshave but had been supportive of her decision.

"My mum has found it quite difficult that her little girl is going to shave all her hair off," said Alison who is going to giver her shaved locks to the Little Princess Trust which provides wigs for children who have lost their hair through cancer.

"If they accept it then it will be used to make a wig.

"My sister, Jenny Collins, is training to be a nurse and she has worked on the children's cancer ward, and so it is something she is very passionate about."

Despite setting herself a challenging target of £500 Alison was amazed at the number of donations which came in.

"I've just been overwhelmed by all the donations that have come in," she said.

"Even from people who don't even know me.

"My target was £500 which I though was a decent amount but my grandmother has been collecting donations and I think I'll have around £900.

"Any donation is still a donation and is amazing. Nobody has a lot of money at the moment so to have so much come in is incredible.   

"I want to say an especially big thank you to the lad with 99 Squadron at RAF Brize Norton, where my partner, corporal Alex Mason works for all their support."

To show your support, sponsor Alison online at bravetheshave.org.uk/shavers/alison-colyer/