The Mayor of Hythe braved the shave and removed 36 inches of her hair in memory of her best friend’s mum who battled cancer for 15 years.

Cllr Naomi Slade cut her long locks - which were usually tied up in a ‘mum bun’ - on Friday and is now sporting a buzzcut.

The day marked the first anniversary of her best friend, Clare, losing her mum Diane to cancer.

Diane had volunteered at the Pilgrims Hospice for 10 years and also passed away there after ‘glamorously’ living with breast cancer for 15 years.

Through the head shave, Cllr Slade raised money for the hospice and also donated the hair to the Little Princess Trust, which provides free real hair wigs to children and young people who have lost theirs through cancer treatment and other conditions.

She cut off 36 inches of hair with the help of her four year old daughter Eilah - six inches were removed so that 30 inches of healthy hair could be sent to the trust.

All together, Cllr Slade, member on Hythe Town Council, has raised £3,135.

She said: "I'm really excited that someone will receive my hair.

"As a woman I know how devastating it would be to lose your hair not out of choice. And to do it in memory of my friend's mum was even better.

"It was a special moment.

“Diane always had such an air of grace about herself and was one of the most compassionate and caring people I’ve been lucky enough to know.

“She was never without her lipstick, wig and a flowing scarf to hide her spreading lumps.

“Even through a mastectomy, reconstruction, portacath, pacemaker, radiotherapy and years of chemotherapy, Diane always looked absolutely fabulous.

“I’ve never felt such heartache as watching Clare lose her mum.

“There really are no words. It made me realise just how important our hospices are and the need to fundraise, to help support the incredible work they do.”

Cllr Slade, who joined Hythe Town Council in 2019 and became Mayor earlier this year, says she will now wear hats to try and keep warm.

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