THEY admitted they were "a little nervous” but remembering the good cause they were supporting, Judith Wright (Jude) and Tina McGilvray “braved the shave” to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

They had an audience of well wishers and got a deserved applause when the last of their hair was shaved off and they proudly walked out into the street, feeling a little strange without their flowing locks but delighted to be doing something to help those suffering from cancer.

The women have been best friends for more than 35 years having met at the Elphicks store in Farnham “and that,” Jude, from Farnham, told the Herald, “is why we called it “Besties Brave the Shave.”

She said the staff at Image Hairdressing, on Alton High Street, “were brilliant and did the shaves for free. The receptionist, Karen Knight, organised the morning and she, the owner and staff organised a raffle and handed out sponsorship forms that raised £235”.

Jude, who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis which means she can’t cycle or run, and Tina, who agreed she couldn’t run or do anything like that "so we decided to have our hair shaved”.

Tina agreed to support her friend in raising the money as Jude’s family has been affected by cancer.

Tina, who lives in Alton, said: “Jude’s niece, Katie-Lily Bryant, who is 15, is having chemo as she has stage four lymphoma. She’s been so brave and upbeat and she has already been through a tough time, as has Andrew, Jude’s brother, who has now got the all clear after having prostate cancer earlier this year.

“I want to dedicate my shave to Katie and Andrew and anyone else suffering from this horrid disease.”

Jude said after the shave that because she has very sensitive skin “the wind blowing through the fuzz on my head felt like ice and I found people were walking away from me when I went shopping".

“However Tina, who was wearing a T-shirt with our logo on it, went to Chawton and got a lot of sympathy and people gave her money as donations,” she said.

Jude also had to face her partner, Hilary: “But she was fine about it and I have short hair anyway. It will grow back and if not I can always wear a hat.”

Tina hasn’t said how her family reacted but between them the two women have so far raised £1,300 and hope there is more to come.

To donate, visit bravetheshave.org.uk and type in Judith Wright and Tina McGilvray.