A THURROCK woman has had her head shaved as a tribute to her nan and grandad and a young boy who she helped nurse before he died.

Amy-Louise Hayward, 25, of Lodge Lane, Grays, has been planning to take part in the Macmillan Cancer Support 'Brave the Shave' fundraising appeal for some time and had planned to do it at a public venue, probably Thurrock Rugby Club.

However, the intervention of the coronavirus lockdown put paid to that and in the end her head was shaved by dad Lionel in the back garden of the family home on Sunday.

Amy-Louise, who is a youth support worker with Thurrock Council, said she was inspired to undertake the shave in memory of nan Dorothy and grandad Tom - and also her 'darling Robert' a child she helped give palliative care to before he died.

Lionel and mum Beverly say they are very proud of their daughter, and praised her selflessness.

Lionel, who is well known in local Rotary Circles and is an active Thurrock Rugby Club member and stalwart, said: "There aren't many young women who would do what she did. She went through it at home without the fuss and bother and has posted it on social media.

"She's received lots of donations and pledges of support from family and friends, particularly at the rugby club, through Rotary and the Thurrock Thameside Young Producers group, and there is also an appeal on the Macmillan fundraising page which is still running.

"At the moment she's raised more than £1,200 which is a tremendous effort.

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"And as a further bonus she has donated the hair that was cut off to the Little Princess charity so a child affected by cancer will be able to have a wig.

"We are just so very proud of her."

Anyone who wishes to support Amy-Louise can do so via her Macmillan page, click here.