AN ALLOA woman braved the shave last week for a cause “very close to the heart”.

Helen Drogan conquered the daring challenge last Thursday, October 12, shearing her locks to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The 37-year-old said the loss of her own mother Margaret to lung cancer seven years ago, as well as a friend's more recent bereavement, had compelled her to help others who suffer from the disease.

The mother-of-six, who is expecting a new addition to the family in about 11 weeks, explained how Macmillan provided fantastic support to her mother and the family, catering for her needs while she battled cancer in her lungs all those years ago.

She told the Advertiser: “They provided for all her needs, she needed a bed mattress, commode, medication.

“We were all there, but they've really done their job.”

Without the support, the family would have had a much more difficult time, said Helen, who explained the charity took a lot of the pressure off her shoulders.

She added: “I had a young one, she was only just one (year old) and my other one was seven weeks, two daughters at the time.”

Her husband helped looking after the tots, allowing her to spend as much time by her mother's deathbed as possible.

Helen's close friend Stacey Derrick, who lost her mother early this year, said she was “really proud” of her pal for going through with it and for collecting the cash.

The shave itself was done at Mayfair Hair Stylist in Alloa by friend Sandra Drummond.

Sandra, who has known Helen for years, said: "I'm proud of her – that's a big thing to do, especially for a woman, shaving her hair off.

"I think she's amazing and it's a great cause as well."

The fundraiser netted more than £100, and counting, for the charity.