A BREAST cancer survivor has shaved her hair off for charity and described the amazing feeling she got from fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Mandy Ash, 45, had radio therapy during her cancer treatment but was spared chemotherapy and decided to shave her hair off in support of those with the illness.

Despite being called brave by family for choosing to shave her head, Mrs Ash said the real brave people are chemotherapy patients.

She said: “Many people say ‘oh you are brave having your hair shaved’ but I think the people who have to be brave are the ones who don’t have a choice, but have to because their hair is falling out. They are the brave ones.

“It’s something I wanted to do for a long time. I was lucky not to have chemotherapy and I didn’t have to lose my hair because I had radiotherapy.”

Mrs Ash, 45, is particularly passionate about supporting Macmillan after her dad died from cancer eight years ago.

Mrs Ash, of Francklyn Acre, Marlborough continued: “When my dad was ill he used the Macmillan nurses and I also benefited from them."

Speaking after the event, in which friend Emma Brown shaved her head, she said: "It was amazing! I felt so proud of myself, it is a bit cold out in the wind though.”

Mrs Ash hosted the head shave at Marlborough football club on October 14, and the Haine and Smith opticians worker announced that £800 was raised for Macmillan from the event.