A 'HAIR-OIC' Kilmacolm woman is shaving all her hair off in memory of her mum.

Frances Fulton has decided to 'brave the shave' in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

The 46-year-old hopes to raise as much money as she can in memory of her late mother Catherine Hughes, who sadly passed away in October due to pancreatic cancer.

Frances said: "We got a lot of support from Macmillan Cancer and Marie Curie when my mum had cancer.

"They have a counselling service and you can also phone up and get medical advice or they can talk you through what is happening and what comes next.

"When my mum was discharged from hospital she got a lot of support at home.

"They were fabulous, so I want to give something back."

Frances, who manages the Riverview Respite project for the Quarriers charity, says the head shave will be a fitting tribute to her mum, who was 71 when she passed away.

She added: "My mum was a hairdresser in her teens.

"She also did my hair for my wedding.

"My fifth wedding anniversary is on August 17 so I've organised the head shave for the 12th - the closest date I could get to my wedding anniversary.

"My niece Monica Glenny, who is a part-time hairdresser, is going to shave my hair off at my mum's house."

Frances said her mum Catherine was an incredible person who is sorely missed.

She added: "My mum was an amazing woman.

"She was very active in the community and was a member of the Labour party.

"My mum also helped elderly people and those with alcohol or drug addictions through her work with the Church of Scotland.

"When we were growing up she also did emergency fostering."

Frances said her mum also kept the family together during a devastating time in their lives.

She said: "My brother James passed away when he was only 21.

"He had bulimia.

"It was pretty horrendous.

"My mum never got over that."

As well as raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support, Frances is also going to donate her hair to the Little Princess Trust - a charity which makes wigs for children and young people who are battling cancer.

Frances said: "It must be really difficult to lose your hair when you don't have a choice in the matter.

"A lot of people make judgements about women who have such short hair.

"I think that the more people that do this kind of thing, the more it will challenge the stereotype."

Frances, who has the support of her husband David, dad Jim, sisters Kate and Margaret and her nieces and nephews, Monica, Michael and Graeme, said she is so grateful to everyone who has donated to her cause so far.

She added: "I hope to raise £750 and I have raised just over £200 which is really encouraging."

Anyone who would like to donate money to Frances can do so online at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/frances-fulton1