A NEWPORT mum had dreadlocks she had kept for four years shaved off to help a charity.

Daisy Lewis has so far raised over £750 for LUPUS UK after being driven to collect the money because close friend Jen Mein, who she met when they were both pupils at Bassaleg School, suffers from the condition.

She said she was going to get rid of the dreadlocks in the future but that she was spurred on to doing it to help the cause.

So far she has raised £590 on her online charity page and £150 on sponsor forms. Gift aid contributions will bump up that total further.

She added: “I was going to get rid of them anyway. To see what [Jen] is going through is heart breaking.”

The 40-year-old, who works on the Severn Bridge’s toll stations, had her hair shaved at the Hair by Alysha salon on Corporation Road free of charge and told the Argus she was not nervous until she sat down in the chair and the enormity of a different hairstyle dawned on her.

Lupus is typically suffered by women and can affect any part of the body. LUPUS UK say it is likely to be genetic in origin. The main symptoms are joint and muscle pain and constant overwhelming fatigue.

Sufferers can also be afflicted by rashes, depression, anaemia, a fever and headaches. But the severity of the illness can range from mild to life threatening.

To donate to the fundraising drive visit justgiving.com/daisylewis.