Marianne Wright, 56, said a number of her friends and family had had cancer in the past few years. She had been thinking of doing Brave the Shave for a while and retirement from a corporate job had given her the opportunity.
Her husband Richard Wright, friends and neighbours joined her at The Broadway Barber Shop, in Brighton Road, this morning to watch her thick, shoulder-length hair being taken off.
Peter Jones, who has been a barber for 30 years, agreed to do the Brave the Shave for free. Richard is a regular customer and when Peter heard why Marianne was having her hair cut off, he was only too happy to help.
After all her hair had been taken off and Peter had given the cut the perfect finish, she said it felt ‘liberating’. Marianne has raised £600 so far. Visit bravetheshave.macmillan.org.uk/shavers/marianne-wright to make a donation.
Marianne said: "So many people's lives are affected by cancer, and people who have cancer and go through treatment lose their hair – they have no choice. I am doing this through choice to raise awareness and to raise money for a great cause, Macmillan Cancer Support.
"I have had five friends affected by cancer and my sister is in remission from breast cancer. I am doing it for them. I can lose my shoulder-length hair through choice and raise some money for charity. People have been saying 'good luck' but I don't need it, I don't have cancer."
![Marianne Wright with barber Peter Jones after her Brave the Shave, supported by husband Richard Wright, friends and neighbours](https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjc5OWU2ODk0LTIyM2MtNDQxZi1hMTc0LWIyYWE2YmNjMGUyMjo3YzQyYmRjMy05OGY5LTQ1ZjctYWVhYS05YjY5ZDQ0Mzc3ZjA=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
1. Brave the Shave
Marianne Wright with barber Peter Jones after her Brave the Shave, supported by husband Richard Wright, friends and neighbours Photo: Elaine Hammond / Sussex World
![Before her Brave the Shave, Marianne Wright with husband Richard Wright](https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjk2MjczMjAzLTZlN2ItNDUxMC1hNmYyLWNiNjg3MDU0Y2M0NTplZmFhMjNmYy03YmRiLTQ2OTktODIwNS04ZTBkMTI5MjdiMTk=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
2. Brave the Shave
Before her Brave the Shave, Marianne Wright with husband Richard Wright Photo: Elaine Hammond / Sussex World
![Barber Peter Jones prepares Marianne Wright for the haircut](https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjU4YjY5MGE0LTUzMTUtNDFjNS05NTI3LTA3MzhmNDJiYzBhYTpjYzE2ZWNiZi1kMmM2LTQ2M2YtYjdmMC1kODI5OGI4Y2FhYjQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
3. Brave the Shave
Barber Peter Jones prepares Marianne Wright for the haircut Photo: Elaine Hammond / Sussex World
![Barber Peter Jones perfecting the finish](https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjQ4YzdkZjNiLTE3MWMtNDQyNC1iNTA3LTAxMDg4NWYyZDAwYjpmNGJmZDI4ZS0wMGVmLTRjMWItODAzNy1iNjM0MGIzYmE0ZTg=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
4. Brave the Shave
Barber Peter Jones perfecting the finish Photo: Elaine Hammond / Sussex World