A mum from Mullion took the bold – or rather bald – decision to have her head shaved in support of her fundraising for Cancer Research UK.

Katie Chambers had always planned to run Falmouth’s Race for Life on Sunday with her three-year-old daughter Matilda, but it was not until she added the extra challenge that donations really began to come in.

For Katie, however, the personal sacrifice was worth it to raise as much money as possible for a cause so close to her heart.

Her grandfather Idris Williams from Helston died from cancer two years ago, roughly around the same time her father-in-law John Chambers from Mullion successfully battled the disease. Her brother also fought it when he was just seven years old.

She said: “It means an awful lot to our family. It was nice to do it.”

However, she readily admits that there is unlikely to be a repeat performance, adding: “I think it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. I’ve done it and that will be it – I don’t think I’ll ever do it again.”

Despite refusing to open her eyes for most of the time the drastic haircut has taken place – and subsequently discovering a less than welcome tan line – she has at least got the approval of one special person, with Katie’s daughter Matilda reassuring her mum she looked “beautiful.”

Falmouth Packet:

Enthusiastically shaving Katie’s hair off was Tracy Meehan. Katie had initially said the person who donated the most money could have that honour, but as he was away on the night Tracy was nominated to complete the grade 0 cut.

It meant a cold Race for Life for Katie, with Sunday’s event seeing cold wind and rain.

Falmouth Packet:

So far Katie has raised just over £400 for the charity, including £112 on the night of the head shave after roughly 100 people crammed into Mullion |Football Club to watch. People can |still sponsor Katie by visiting www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/KTchambers