IT IS most woman’s most pampered part of the body – but Elaine Winwood decided to have hers shaved off and is well on the way to raising £2,000 for charity.
The generous Kelso fundraiser had her barnet chopped off at the town’s Sainsbury’s store in front of a large crowd for Marie Curie Cancer Care.
Elaine said: “I was very nervous and actually quite emotional getting my head shaved.
“I chose Marie Curie as the work they do is amazing. I’ve experienced this from a professional and a personal point of view.
“My dad sadly died in July 2010. He chose to die at home, surrounded by those who loved him dearly, with the help of Marie Curie, who not only cared for my dad, but cared for the family. They were truly amazing nurses.
“I felt I needed to show my appreciation to them and came up with the Shave-Off.”
Her initial fund-raising goal was £1,000, but Elaine hopes her current total of £1,700 will eventually rise to £2,000.
She said: “The public were amazingly generous. In a recession and at Christmas time, raising that amount just shows the true support from the public, I can’t thank everyone involved enough.
“I would however like to thank Sharon Mathews, Sainsbury’s store manager at Kelso, and all the staff, for getting behind me and being so enthusiastic; Sainsbury’s customers for being so generous; hairdresser Susan Gibson; all my family and friends for their help and generous donations and also local businesses whom I hounded but all donated.”
Elaine was also visited by a special guest with a highly appropriate gift. She said: “Thank you also to Santa Claus, who dropped by on Christmas Eve and left a special present for me – a hat!
“Hats were a huge part of my Christmas presents, thank goodness, as it was very cold without hair.”
You can still donate at www.justgiving.com/Elaine-Winwood