WHEN little Layla Moger’s grandmother had all her hair shaved off she didn’t realise how many compliments she would get about the shape of her head.

And Diana Condon, who lives in Toothill, has not only been chuckling about the surprising praise but also the fact she was the one comforting hairdresser Kayleigh Charles, who was in charge of the clippers at Aqua-G salon in the Brunel Centre on Saturday.

“I took one look at her and she was a wreck,” said Diana. “I was fine, but she was really nervous because she had never done it before.”

But the 57-year-old didn’t decide to go bald because she fancied a change in hairstyle, but rather to support the fundraising campaign to help four-year-old granddaughter Layla have a vital operation so she can walk unaided for the first time.

Layla was by Diana’s side at the head shave, which has raised almost £700 and counting towards the pricey £60,000 operation and aftercare fees.

“This was my way of doing my bit for Layla to get the money and I said to her: ‘I’m doing this for you,’” Diana said.

“She kept saying ‘Nanny your hair, your hair’ and she was kissing my leg, I think she was a bit shocked.”

Layla, who lives in Toothill, was born with Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy which affects the movement of her legs and left arm.

It is hoped that an operation, called a selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR), will allow the youngster to walk unaided. She has already been assessed and fits the medical criteria for the life-changing operation, but the NHS no longer funds SDR.

Diana, who also organised a tombola, added: “I’m registered disabled so I had to think of something that would be in my realm. My hair is quite fine so I am hoping it might grow back nice and thick and curly, but I doubt it.

“I have just this morning put a cap on as I have been feeling a bit colder, but it’s not too bad. Everybody that has seen me has said I’ve got a nice shape head.”

It comes almost a year since the campaign was launched by Layla’s family to raise the cash. A date for the operation in Bristol is being set for some time in January.

Speaking about her mother-in-law’s feat, Layla’s mum Kelly Smith said: “I was dreading it a little bit but she did really well.

“I’m excited about Layla's operation. At first we didn’t think we would get the money but we’ve done so much in a year and we have got brilliant family and friends - I can’t thank them enough.”

The family is also organising a Christmas party fundraiser at Toothill Community Centre on December 18. There will be a children's disco and Santa's grotto.