AN Ardrossan grandmother is shaving her hair to raise money for the armed forces charity that helped her when her health deteriorated.

Christine Murray wanted to fundraise for the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) because of the support the charity offered the ex-soldier after she developed osteoarthritis of the hips and spine.

The 52-year-old mum of two is hoping to raise £1,000 for SSAFA by getting her shoulder-length hair shaved off at an event in Saltcoats Labour Club next month.

Christine told the Herald: “Three years I was in the army, then I became a nurse afterwards. I’ve always been very active, doing everything around the house and in the garden and then I got osteoarthritis. Slowly but surely I’ve had to stop everything I’ve always loved doing. I’ve had osteoarthritis for about 15 years and it’s been slowly deteriorating.

“SSAFA give financial assistance and lifelong support to our forces and their families. I want people to know that when they leave the army they can get the help I can get. I have personally received help from SSAFA and would have struggled to cope without it. They paid for my carpet in my bungalow. The property had wooden floors and that wasn’t any use to me because it was slidey.

“I don’t know where I’d be without SSAFA. I wanted to fundraise for them because they’ve done so much for me but I can’t do the walks, the skydives and such so I thought what can I do? Us ex-armed forces are all a bit nuts so I thought I’ll do something most women wouldn’t dream of – I’ll shave my hair off!”

“Hopefully it will be a good night. Dance Mafia will be dancing during the evening thanks to their dance teacher Amy-Leigh and the crew. There’s also going to be a DJ and a raffle, then I’m going to have my head shaved.

“If I could raise £1,000, that would be amazing, but I’m just trying to raise as much as I can.”

Christine’s event is on Friday, November 25 at Saltcoats Labour Club, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets are £5 and can be bought on the door.

You can donate to Christine’s Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/christinemurray1964.