Kelsy Familio plans to lose her locks to help save the Leeds children’s heart surgery unit.

Kelsy, of Silsden, will have her head shaved later this month to support her friend whose son was treated at the unit.

Kirsty Whitaker did a parachute jump last year to raise money for the Save Our Surgery campaign.

Kelsy said: “Because I didn’t join Kirsty in the skydive I thought it was my turn now. This isn’t as scary as jumping out of a plane!”

Kirsty’s son Joseph still receives treatment at the threatened unit at Leeds General Infirmary.

NHS bosses decided last year to close several children’s heart units across the UK and focus surgery on a smaller number of hospitals. Court action by Save Our Surgery won Leeds a temporary reprieve, forcing the NHS to take a second look at the data that led to the original decision.

Kelsy, who will have her head shaved at a barbecue attended by friends, said husband Alex and children Aaron, four, and Elena, seven, were supportive.