A therapist from St Day is having her locks shaved in support of a centre which helps people with multiple sclerosis, a condition which affected her mother.

Former community nursing sister Sandy Hatcher is hoping to raise £10,000 for the Merlin MS Centre near St. Austell, where she provides complimentary therapy, and which also assists her partner Rebecca Ryder who suffers from ME/CFS.

The ‘Hey Ho It will Grow’ event will take place at the centre in July in front of around 100 people, with tickets costing £5 including entertainment, a pasty, and a drink.

Sandy said: “Mum demonstrated amazing courage whilst battling with progressive MS for more than 15 years. She would have benefited greatly if the centre had existed back then.”

Rebecca, who was diagnosed with ME/CFS after struggling with long term chronic fatigue for three years, and whose brother has progressive MS, said: “Multiple sclerosis has touched both our lives; we have therefore supported the Merlin MS centre since its inception.

“Through conversation, Sandy established that oxygen therapy can alleviate ME/CFS symptoms, so I gave it a go. I experienced a significant improvement: my sleeping pattern improved dramatically and my energy levels were sustained for a greater period of time and I no longer felt irritable.”