Memories of Valentine's Day for many people include a romantic meal and/or receiving red roses, but Alison Cameron has a very different reason for remembering it this year - it was the day she "braved the shave."

Alison, aged 60 and from Falmouth, decided to have her head shaved to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support and chose to have it done in February as a tribute to those fighting the disease.

"I was asked why I was choosing February, the coldest month, after deciding in December that I would do this," she said. "My response was that if I was experiencing cancer I wouldn’t have a choice when I lost my hair. So February it was."

Valentine's Day, chose Alison rather than her choosing it, but it also happened to be her and partner John's anniversary. Alison had the shave done by Zoe at Illusions in Blackwater and so had to fit in with her busy schedule.

Alison added: "I have friends who are going through treatments currently and I felt compelled to do something positive to help, as I felt there was little more I could do. I am fortunate that I am well and have a choice. I have found it curious that shaving your head is considered brave, people experiencing cancer are brave, not me. As I say, it’s not brave, it’s just a shave."

Alison has thanked her friends for their support. "They have been fantastic, not just by giving sponsorship but some have taken sponsor forms and asked at their work places and their friends," she said. "I couldn’t have raised so much with out all of their efforts. Thank you."

So far Alison has raised £2,000 but it is hoping that figure will increase as donations can still be made online at bravetheshave.org.uk/shavers/alison-cameron/.