A BERROW woman is having her hair shaved to raise funds for a charity close to her heart.

Nessa Holbrow, 44, has suffered with an eating disorder for over 30 years.

She says she wants to shave her hair to raise as much money as she can for Beat, who support those affected by eating disorders or difficulties with food, weight and shape.

Nessa said: “I have turned to Beat on and off over the years, especially in the early days when they were known as the Eating Disorders Association.

“They have been a great support to me and there were times where I don’t know what I would have done without them.”

Nessa has already managed to raise over £1,300 with the help of her border terrier, Jack Spratticus, who is fairly well known in and around the area.

She added: “I am passionate about mental illnesses in general, especially helping to break stigma, as I also live with the diagnosis of borderline personality disorder.

“This is perhaps one of the most misunderstood and maligned mental illness.

“Eating disorders are complex and there is no one causative factor.

“I would like to feel as though some good has come out of a scary and unpleasant journey, and doing something positive to help in some small way would, in turn, help me too.

“I would give my life to prevent one young person going down a similar journey as mine.

“An existence dominated by fear of food, nutrition and weight is a living hell.

“It has been an extraordinary challenge and a painful one in so many ways.

“Thank you to anyone who may consider a donation.”

If you would like make a donation to Nessa’s fundraising effort , you can do by visiting justgiving.com/Nessa2015/