A MOTHER of two from Chippenham has raised over a thousand pounds for Macmillan Cancer Support and Cancer Research UK after deciding to shave her head.

Claire Denton, 57, of Wood Lane, chose to raise money for the two charities after seeing friends and loved ones being diagnosed with the disease. After deciding to brave the shave for the two charities, with the goal of raising £200, Mrs Denton was surprised when she realised she had raised £1,200.

Mrs Denton, a mother of two, said: “I have had close friends diagnosed with cancer, one of my friends is doing rather well at the moment, one of my other friends who I knew for 27 years sadly died of cancer and my brother-in-law has also been diagnosed. These aren’t older people, they are all younger than I am. I have had a brain haemorrhage so I know what it is like to receive support from people and I just wanted to do my part.”

Joined by her friend Kristine Brewer, the pair went to the Gladstone Club in Gladstone Road, Chippenham, on Saturday (October 1) where Mrs Denton prepared to have her head shaved.

“My husband Paul didn’t want me to do it to begin with but after Kristine and my other friend Ian shaved my hair off he came up onstage and gave me a hug and told me how proud he was of me. I have been overwhelmed with all of the support I have received, I am one of the lucky ones, I don’t think what I did was brave but it helps raise money for these two wonderful charities,” added Mrs Denton.

Mrs Denton also explained about her children’s reactions when she first told them about the shave, both of whom were sceptical about the idea.

“My son Alex and my other son Jordan weren’t very keen on the idea. I think they were embarrassed at the beginning but they were also proud that I went through with it,” said Mrs Denton.

“Everyone has just been so generous, I went to the pub one night and I ended up with £30 of donations. I have people who are friends of friends donating and I haven’t even met them before. It has been a very overwhelming experience.”