Friends and family braved the shave by taking part in a group hair cut to raise money for Breast Cancer Now.

Twenty-two people had their heads shaved on the same day at Dover bus station, in Pencester Road, helping raise more than £7,000.

Another two shaved their heads at home, while another volunteer removed his beard, and one man had his legs waxed.

The day was organised by Stagecoach bus driver Andrea Hayes, 50, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in September last year.

She has since had a tumour and lymph nodes removed, and has now started chemotherapy.

Sadly, Andrea's husband Philip, who she met while working for the bus operator, died from prostate cancer in November 2020.

Among those to have their heads shaved were the couples two children, Keshena, 20, and Kaelan, 15.

Andrea said: "Being as I'm going to lose my hair anyway, I decided to organise a group head shave because I wanted to focus on something good under such difficult circumstances."

The others to see their hair go were Samantha Stoakes, Emma and James Gill, Tara Graham, Joseph Todd, Chris Hall, Joe Gauci, Danny Buga (who also said goodbye to his eyebrows), Mark Spratt, Steve Merryweather, Melissa and Kiana Clements, Dave Couchman, Amanda Pooley, Mick Leivers, Sammy Wall, Tina King, Eila Ward and Leigh Mansell.

Controller Paul Simmons shaved his bushy beard off, and driver Vince Pendlebury had his legs waxed, while Tommy Meadows and Dan Mayhew shaved their heads at home.

It took hairdressers and barbers Anna Kettle, Lauren Kettle and Daniel Weller just under an hour to complete the makeovers.

A cake stall was also set up and ran by Andrea's friend Michelle McCoy, and raised £500.

Eila Ward and her mum, June Ward, knitted pink hats for all the ladies for after the shave.

Mrs Hayes said: "It was a fantastic success!

"It was a very busy day, with lots of supporters, well wishers and spectators.

"And it was also very emotional and tiring.

"But I am proud of everyone that participated and made the whole fundraiser such a roaring success. So far we have raised just over £7,200 as a group and donations are still trickling in."

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/team/TeamAndreaHayes