A BRAVE fundraiser has shaved off her shoulder-length hair in memory of her nan and cousin.

Stacey Hodgkins, of Cotman Avenue in Lawford, is hoping to raise £1,000 for Cancer Research from getting the extreme chop.

The 28-year-old set herself the challenge as part of her ongoing fundraising efforts after two family members died of cancer within a matter of months.

She said: "My nan, Janet Hodgkins, died of cancer a couple of year ago when she was 69 years old - she had a brain tumour.

"Within six weeks from finding out she went downhill.

"I lived with her for nine years , she was my world, so it was really hard.

"She was working three days a week at Danes Laundry in Colchester at the time."

Just a couple of months later, Stacey's cousin Debbie Markham also passed away.

Stacey added: "She had breast cancer, it was the second time around and it had spread in her body.

"It was so hard at the time.

"I don't care if I raise £200 or £2,000, I want to raise as much as I can.

"People who have gone through it, like we have as a family, want to help.

"I don't think I'll ever stop fundraising."

Stacey had her hair shaved off at the Manningtree Station buffet where she works as a kitchen assistant.

She has raised £645 so far for the challenge, which follows a skydive that raised £800 for Cancer Research and the cancer unit at Colchester Hospital.

She is now looking for other ideas of fundraising and hopes to maybe do a bungee jump next.

Stacey added: "My nan would have thought I am crazy for doing the head shave.

"I didn't want to do a marathon or walk - I wanted to do something not many people do.

"But I was so nervous."

To donate to Stacey's appeal visit fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/bravetheshave