A Mauchline mum has swapped her long locks for a skinhead to raise money for the NHS.

Shannon Brannigan, 26, has raised more than twice her initial goal for the fundraiser which will be donated to NHS Charities.

She said: “Obviously, in these circumstances, this horrible time, I just thought because of the amazing job the NHS are doing it would be appropriate.

“I just want to say thank you so much, can’t thank them enough.”

The fundraiser has now reached £845.50 to support NHS staff and volunteers caring for COVID-19 patients.

Shannon was inspired by Mauchline man Steven Shankland, who braved the shave and started the now viral Lockdown Skinhead Challenge.

The idea is to show appreciation for the NHS by nominating people on social media to shave their head for charity.

She saw men taking part in the challenge, shaving their heads to raise money for good causes.

The mother of two said she didn’t see any women doing it and thought it would be a bit different and would help raise a some more funds.

Shannon said she was encouraged by her partner, Alistair Kane, a plasterer, who told it was the perfect time to do what he knew she had wanted to try for a while.

This is the first time she has had her head shaved. She revealed that she loves it and is chuffed at how much she has raised for the NHS.

And her five-year-old son is loving her new hair-do.

She said: “He was just laughing.

“He thought it was really funny. He keeps rubbing my head.”

Shannon set up a JustGiving page and set an initial target of £400.

When donations topped that on Friday, April 3, she shaved off all of her long hair.

But donations are still coming in and her total has now reached more than double the starting target.

You can donate to Shannon’s fundraiser at justgiving.com/fundraising/shannon-brannigan.

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