Two friends touched by cancer are organising a close shave for charity.

Care assistant Donna Lawson, 34, of East Bowling, is getting ready to say goodbye to her curly shoulder-length locks to raise funds for Breast Cancer care, in memory of her mum. She will be supported by friend Elizabeth Shaw.

Although Donna’s mum Val Lawson successfully fought off the cancer, the gruelling chemotherapy left her with a severe lung condition which eventually took her life.

Tomorrow Miss Lawson will be having all her hair shaved off as part of a fun day at The Gallopers pub in Wakefield Road.

Beauticians from Le Bells salon in Saltaire are doing the honours – and waxing some willing male volunteers on the day.

Weather permitting there will also be a bouncy castle outside, face-painting, stalls and cake sales in the hope of making £1,000 for the charity - the fun starts at 4pm.

Miss Lawson said fighting cancer is a cause close to her heart after her own mum’s death at 62 and her own breast cancer scare two years ago when she had to have a lumpectomy but was fortunately given the all clear.

“My friend Elizabeth’s aunt is fighting breast cancer at the moment,” she said.

“It touches everyone. I always said when I’d started to get over my mum’s death I wanted to do something to help others beat this terrible disease and now I’m doing it.”

She added: “My hair is very much like my personality, it’s big and it’s out there so it’s a huge thing for me having it all cut off. I’m a bit apprehensive but my hair can grow back without a fight.”

Anyone wanting to sponsor her for this event can go to her fundraising page at justgiving.com/Donna-Lawson.

Breast Cancer Care area fundraiser Helen Cameron, said: “We are delighted that Donna Lawson is taking this challenge to raise funds for Breast Cancer Care.

“In the UK someone is diagnosed with breast cancer every 11 minutes, so the demand for our free services is huge.

“The fundraising efforts of individuals such as Donna Lawson and Elizabeth Shaw are hugely appreciated and ensure that we can continue our life-changing work.’ Breast cancer is now the most common cancer among women in the UK. Every year 50,000 people hear the devastating news that they have this life-threatening illness.