HAIR today, gone tomorrow – but this woman's love for animals will last a lifetime.
Lizzy Giblin, 26, shaved off her waist-length locks to raise money for Hull Animal Welfare Trust, where she works as a volunteer.
Supporters watched in horror – and awe – as her long, brown hair fell to the ground at Sunnydene Animal Shelter in South Cave during its annual charity day for the trust.
Lizzy, of Cottingham, has only worked at the charity for one month, but has loved animals all her life and wanted to do her bit to help.
She said: "I heard we were having our open day and I just thought, 'what can I do to help?'
"I can't bake cakes, I can't run or anything like that, so the only thing I was left with was to shave my hair off.
"The thought just stuck with me. I was telling myself it was a daft idea, but I couldn't get rid of it, so I decided to go for it.
"I have always loved animals and I feel so privileged to work at the trust. I go there and I love every minute. It is fantastic getting stuck in and really seeing what difference we can make to an animal's life."
Lizzy's hair is in such good condition – having never dyed or straightened it – that she is able to donate it to The Little Princess Trust.
The charity provides real hair wigs for children who have suffered hair loss through illness or other reasons.
The idea she will have helped a child has made it easier for Lizzy to get used to her new look.
"I am coping by avoiding mirrors at the moment and wearing a lot of head scarves," she said.
"It is going to take a long time to get used to it. I keep feeling my head and wondering where it has all gone, but I know it has been worth it."
The shelter, where rescue dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs are looked after alongside the Hull Hedgehog Hospital, costs £120,000 a year in vet bills alone so donations are vital to its survival.
The day, which also included a dog show, bric-a-brac and games, raised £3,929, but donations for Lizzy's head shave are still being taken.
Sue Sewell, chairman of Hull Animal Welfare Trust, said: "She is very brave and we are all really proud of what she has done."
If you want to sponsor Lizzy, call her at the shelter on 01430 423986.
