After a devastating diagnosis, a Dorchester grandmother ‘braved the shave’ to raise money for charity.

Toni Taylor, aged 70, decided she was going to take control after a being diagnosed with breast lymphoma.

Instead of losing her hair to chemotherapy, she decided she would shave her hair, alongside her grandson, to raise money for the Dorset County Hospital’s Cancer Appeal.

She said: “It wanted to raise as much money as I could before I lost my hair.

“A year ago I was cleared of breast cancer but I was recently diagnosed again and I was told it was worse.

“I thought rather than losing my hair, I’d like to raise some awareness.”

Already facing a daunting challenge, Toni decided to do it in front of the Tesco store in Dorchester to drum up even more support for the fundraiser.

Customers and employees at the supermarket gathered to support her cause.

Toni did not face this challenge alone. Her grandson, Osbourne, aged 14, sat by her side and had his head shaved in support. When we looked at each other with shaven heads, we just fell about laughing,” Toni said.

Toni and Osbourne managed to raise more than £100 in just 23 minutes.

Toni said: “I’d just like to say a to everybody who donated at Tesco and all of the people who sponsored my head shave a very big thank you.”

Dorset county hospitals Cancer Appeal is raising money for a new unit and equipment at the hospital meaning cancer patients will no longer have to travel far for treatment,

Community champion of Dorchester Tesco, Natalie Hall said: “It was an honour to have Toni and her grandson in store for such an amazing fundraiser, she is a remarkable lady. We can’t wait to find out how much she has raised for the hospital.

“It was a very emotional and moving day for all but we are so glad we shared it with her. We wish her all the very best from everyone at the store.”

Toni will be presenting the money she has raised to the hospital on August 24.