LAUNCESTON lady Tracy Espin has raised over £1,000 for charity after shaving her head in memory of her mother who died from cancer ten years ago.

Having heard about the idea on a Pirate FM advert, Tracy toyed with the idea for several weeks and months before finally deciding to raise money for MacMillan Cancer Support in memory of Carol Barker who passed away at just 61.

She admits she was initially scared at the prospect but knew that it was a case of signing up and then not being able to back out.

Tracy said: “Initially of course I was extremely apprehensive about losing my hair but the more I thought about it and told people I wanted to do it then it became obvious that it was such a good idea. Cancer affects everyone and with me losing my mum from cancer at just 61 I knew that it was something I wanted to do.”

Tracy enlisted the help of Hush, the hairdressers in Launceston, to carry out the shave at the beginning of June.

When asked about how Hush accommodated her and treated her, she simply replied: “They have been brilliant, absolutely brilliant, faultless really.”

It’s not only the support from Hush which has been remarkable as Tracy has raised over double the amount she anticipated, thanks to generosity from her work at St Mellion Flowers in Saltash and of that of her friends.

She said: “People have been absolutely lovely and to be honest I’ve been quite touched just how much people have got involved.

“At the beginning, I wanted to raise just £500 but as the weeks have gone on I aimed for a £1,000 and we’ve now got over that. The online page is being re-done at the moment but you can still donate.

To find the page, type in St Mellion Flowers on Facebook or go to their website and follow the links.

Alternatively you can contact Tracy at work on 01752 845545.