A WOMAN who chose to have her curly hair shaved off to 'stand up to cancer' has more than doubled her fundraising target.

Rachael Young, who lives in Higher Tremar, near Liskeard, took on the challenge to raise £1,000 for charity Stand Up to Cancer because several of her friends and family have been affected by the disease.

'I wanted to do this for my friend Marie's husband Paul, who sadly passed away on November 1,' she said. 'My Uncle John and Uncle Peter were two brothers who died 20 years apart from bowel cancer. My nephew had leukaemia aged four, and my dear friend Kimmo is currently battling with leukaemia.'

Rachael, 44, says she used to give blood regularly, but says she has not been allowed to do so since having a blood transfusion six years ago, when her daughter Isobella was born.

'I have a rare blood type, but I am not allowed to give blood or be a bone marrow donor, they say, just in case I carry CJD. Having my head shaved was a way that I could do something. If you're on treatment for cancer you've got no choice but to lose your hair. I'm choosing to lose mine to raise awareness.'

Rachael invited her friends around for a 'headshaving' party at her home, and the proceeds of a raffle, together with sponsorship means the total raised is now more than £2,000.

With plans to set up as a swimming instructor, Rachael jokes that she will be extra streamlined now without her hair.