A WOMAN who is losing her hair has shaved her head for charity to help others.

Jenny Gledhill, who works as a host selling tickets on First’s FTR buses, decided to shave her head after developing the medical condition alopecia, which meant she was gradually losing her hair.

The 24-year-old from Acomb, who suffers from panic and anxiety attacks, said the condition was brought about by stress, but to help her get through it, she wanted to help other people.

She said: “I said from the start, when I was first diagnosed about six weeks ago, that if I ended up with quite a few bald spots, I would shave it off for charity. I thought that I had got a bit of misfortune but I can use it to help other people. Now I’ve got one big spot and seven smaller ones so instead of wearing a hat I’m shaving it off.”

Jenny is splitting the money she has raised between four charities, British Heart Foundation, York Against Cancer, Yorkshire Air Ambulance and York Hospital’s Special Care Baby Unit, where she was looked after as a child.

Her father, Richard, said she was born prematurely at 28 weeks.

He said: “She weighed less than a two-pound bag of sugar. She fitted into the palm of my hand and was wearing dolls clothes because that’s all that would fit her. I’m so proud of her.”

Jenny had her head shaved by a good friend in front of a small crowd at First’s Tanner Row offices.

She said: “There were a few tears. It was quite emotional for me, but I don’t feel too bad. It’s a bit better now it’s done and knowing all the money is going to a good cause and I’ve done it for a good reason. I was just getting everyone to make me laugh to take my mind off it.”

Jenny has raised £432 so far. Visit justgiving.com/Jenny-Gledhill to contribute to her efforts.

She said: “I was all right at first, but when my first wig came through it made it feel more real. But I just keep thinking about the amount of people going to be able to help with the money I’ve raised so far. That’s what’s getting me through it.”