A veterinary nurse with long, luscious locks has had all her hair shaved to raise money for charity.
Crystal Carr, who has been growing her hair for six years now, hoped to make £1,000 for Macmillan by going bald at GeGe Hair and Beauty salon in Redbourn.
She has donated 55cm of hair to the Little Princess Trust - a wig-making charity for children with cancer.
The 31-year-old veterinary nurse from Hemel Hempstead decided to brave the shave because her sister, Emma, lost a battle with cancer in January 2015.
Initially Emma was diagnosed with breast cancer, but treatment could not prevent the tumour spreading to her bones, lungs, liver, and brain.
She passed away about four years after she was diagnosed, a month before her 47th birthday.
Emma lost her hair throughout chemotherapy and Crystal believes her sister would be proud of the fund raising shave - which would have coincided with Emma’s 50th birthday year.
Before the big chop, Crystal said: “I am actually really excited because I have been thinking about it for a long time and I have gone through all the nervousness already.
“I’m doing this even though I swore I would never cut it again when I started growing it.”
To keep her hair in good condition, Crystal has been using conditioner and strengthening shampoo.
She added: “They say everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer. I didn’t think that was true until it happened to me - my own sister was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“As a single mother of two she fought tooth and nail, but in 2015 she could fight no more, and was finally at peace. So now it’s my turn to give back and support those that became her extended family during her fight - the amazing Macmillan. If this small act can help another family even one per cent, it will be worth getting a sunburnt head for!”
She thanked all the local businesses which contributed to her event on August 4, including Claire at Arrangements for donating the balloons, Lindy at The Hub for donating the cakes, Weymans for donating the Prosecco, and everyone at GeGe Hair and Beauty for doing the shave.
To donate, visit bravetheshave.macmillan.org.uk/shavers/crystal-carr
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here