WEYMOUTH hairdresser Anne-Marie Male is being supported by 24 of her best friends this month when they all shave their heads and chests for charity.

The group, known as the Baldies, aim to raise at least £2,500 for the Digital Mammography Appeal at Dorset County Hospital, by holding a marathon of events on Saturday, March 19 and Sunday 20.

Anne-Marie lost all her hair after being diagnosed with breast cancer last October on the day of her 42nd birthday.

She is now going through chemotherapy treatments before starting radiography in June.

Anne-Marie’s friends and family rallied round to support her and her best friend Gerry Lewis suggested that if Anne-Marie has lost her hair, then so will the other eight friends in support.

So now they are all raising money for DCH’s breast cancer unit in order to assist for Digital Mammography Unit achieve the £500,000 goal for a new digital machine. The appeal, backed by the Dorset Echo, has successfully raised more than £300,000 in its first month.

Anne-Marie said: “When I was diagnosed I had my scans on the machine at DCH and although I got the best service I could, the two week waiting for the results was just soul destroying – no-one can appreciate how hard it is.

“But I am one of the lucky ones – my treatment is going extremely well and there’s a lot of people in worse condition than me.”

She said she’s completely overwhelmed by the support of her friends and their willing offer to help her raise a substantial amount for the appeal.

The eight women who will shave their heads this Saturday and have raised £500 each are Niki Personi, Mel Sharpe, Michelle Sharpe, Bonny Heather, Cindy Short, Tracey Mills, Gerry Lewis and Karen O’Conner. They will be joined by 10 men also shaving their hair, including Anne-Marie-s husband Steve.

Working their way through a series of five Weymouth pubs the group will be doing bucket collections whilst getting their heads shaved at different times.At the last pub - the Famous Old Spa there will be karaoke entertainment.

On Sunday, March 20, six men, will have their chests waxed at Southill Snooker Club where Shooter will accompany the fundraisers.

Anne-Marie praised her husband and 14-year-old daughter Jenna for their ‘incredible strength’ throughout a tough family time.

She also thanked all the businesses and pubs who are fundraising for the baldies and of course the Baldies themselves.

“I admire them all for this selfless act which will hopefully go a long way for the women of Dorset – words can’t describe how much this gesture by my friends means to me,” she added.

The Duke of Albany has already raised £244 for the DCH appeal.

To donate to the Baldies appeal you can leave a cheque made payable to The Baldies Appeal at any Dorset Echo office.

The Baldies weekend schedule

Saturday March 19

  • 11.30pm King’s Arms
  • 1.30pm Lazy Lizard
  • 3.30pm Duke of Albany
  • 5.30pm Railway Tavern
  • 7.30pm The Famous old Spa - with karaoke
  • Sunday March 20
  • 1.30pm Southill Snooker Club – where the six male volunteers will be getting their chests waxed. Shooter will be entertaining