A YOUNG girl who battled deadly E. coli and meningitis has shaved off all her hair in memory of her granddad - only weeks after neurosurgery.

Brave Erin Lamond, nine, has lost her long locks to raise money for the Ardgowan Hospice.

She wanted to say thanks to the staff for the care they gave her grandad Hugh McIntosh, who died five years ago.

Fearless youngster Erin was only ten when she fell seriously ill and was left fighting for her life.

She survived against all the odds but was left with hydrocephalus and cerebral palsy.

Her mum Joanne, originally from Greenock, said: "Erin has lovely memories of her granddad's last days in the hospice.

"She was only four-years-old.

"She has been through so much herself and is such a brave wee girl.

"Doctors told us she wasn't going to survive but here she is.

"Erin must have had about 22 operations and stays in hospital.

"She was so fond of my dad Hugh, he was such a lovely man."

After her most recent visit to the hospital for a shunt revision Erin decided to take part in a charity fundraiser.

She said: "I was inspired by an advert and I wanted to help."

Erin told her mum she wanted to raise money for Ardgowan and the hospice fundraising team set up the charity head shave at Juliana Hair Salon in Greenock.

Her mum and her gran Alice, who stays in Westmorland Road, were joined by her dad Colin to watch.

So far Erin has raised more than £800.

Joanne, 50, said: "Erin is such a great girl, she loves school and is doing so well.

"She has lots of friends and lets nothing hold her back.

"We are very proud of her."

Erin also has an older sister Alice, who was left seriously injured by a firework when she was eight-years-old.

Ardgowan Hospice fundraiser Chris Morton said: "We would like to thank Erin for being so brave and thoughtful. It was fantastic to meet a young person with such determination and drive to help other people.

"Erin has already beaten her fundraising goal and the money she has raised so far could fund 24 hours of vital care within our in-patient unit and several home visits from an Ardgowan community nurse specialist.

Salon owner Juliana Morrell said: “It was an absolute privilege to meet Erin and cut her hair. I’m incredibly humbled by her strength and enthusiasm to help other folk, especially at such a young age.”

Erin will be donating her hair to the Little Princess Trust.