A TEENAGER from Billington is set to have her head shaved in memory of family members who have suffered from cancer.

Hannah Croston, 16, will have her waist-length hair taken off on Wednesday, July 17, and she hopes to raise £2,500 for the East Lancashire Hospice.

Her grandad, Tommy, lost his battle with stomach cancer in 2012 aged 75 and her great uncle, Derek, 75, died from the same illness on Friday, June 21.

Hannah, a former pupil at St Augustine’s High School, said: “I’ve been letting my hair grow for about 10 years so it will be really weird when it’s all gone.

“I want people to know what I’m doing and for others to be inspired and raise money for charity too.

“My granddad was more of a father figure to me.

“He was very important in my life and I thought he could get through anything.

“We have had lots of family members and friends suffer from cancer over the years and this is a way to pay tribute to them.

“I’ve never done anything like this before, apart from a sponsored silence at school a few years ago, but I only managed about four hours.

“I’ve been knocking on doors in Billington and Whalley and in just two evenings I made over £400 which is amazing.”

Hannah’s mum, Andrea, 40, said: “I’m so proud of her for doing this and it’s such a great tribute to my dad and uncle. I lost my mum to cancer when I was 10 and it’s something that has plagued our family and friends since.

“If she manages to raise £2,500 for the hospice I know it will make a huge difference to people’s lives.”

Sponsor Hannah via www.justgiving. com/hannah-croston