A WOMAN who spent 22 years growing her long locks after cancer treatment has had the chop for St Richard’s Hospice.

Christine Robateau, aged 47, who owns Enhance Cleaning Services in Worcester city centre had her waist-length hair cut at Diva’s hair salon, Copenhagen Street, Worcester.

She wanted to raise money for St Richard’s, based at Wildwood Drive, Worcester, after staff at the hospice helped care for a friend who died last year of a brain tumour.

She also wanted to raise funds for a cancer charity, having suffered with the disease herself 22 years ago.

“I am a bit nervous but very excited to have my hair cut so dramatically,” said Christine.

“I lost a lot of my hair during treatment and it has taken all this time to grow it back properly and healthily. But I’m doing it for a very good cause so it’s worth it.”

Christine is being sponsored by friends at Karate World, Worcester, as well as work colleagues.

Community fund-raiser Alison Weston said: “This is very generous of Christine and we hope she loves her new look.”

St Richard’s Hospice offers many services, including an in-patient unit, day hospice and counselling and bereavement support.

All the services are free and each year St Richard’s cares for about 1,800 patients and families. This year it needs to raise £4.2 million to provide the services.