A KEEN fundraiser plans to shave off her lockdown locks to raise money for The League of Friends to The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital (RJAH).

Kim Lathaen, who lives near Bala, had planned to do a sponsored walk up Snowdon to raise funds for the hospital Friends but didn't feel it was a viable option due to the pandemic.

So instead, she’s making use of her lockdown hair and is having it all cut off.

Kim is holding this sponsored event in conjunction with The League of Friends fundraising branch situated in Bala.

Five years ago, she took part in Macmillan’s ‘Brave the Shave’ fundraising campaign where a friend gave her a ‘reverse Mohican’, necessitating a full crew cut!

Kim, who praises RJAH for giving her inspiration to take on new challenges, said: “How short I will go this time will depend on how successful my fundraising efforts are - I am aiming to raise £2000!

“It might be a drop in the ocean for the cost of the surgeries I have received, but it’s a small token of my thanks and gratitude for being able to exercise and live a better life because of it.”

Kim's hair is now sitting past her shoulders and despite being desperate to take matters into her own hands she made the decision to keep growing it in order to do this sponsored clip.

Her usual stylist Lexi, from Blades salon in Bala is willing to do the deed and cut off her curls.

The sponsored event, ‘Kim’s having it off – in aid of The League of Friends RJAH’ will take place on Bala High Street outside Cocoa Bala chocolate shop at noon on June 3, Covid-19 restrictions permitting.

If you would like to sponsor Kim please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/kimlathaen

The League of Friends has been supporting The Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital since 1961, via fundraising, donations and provision of services. The League of Friends are currently recruiting volunteers to fill a variety of roles across the hospital and join a 350 strong team of volunteers. For more information please contact Victoria Sugden on 01691 404401.

Located in Oswestry on the Shropshire and North Wales border, The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (RJAH) serves the local population in Shropshire, North and Mid Wales, Cheshire and the West Midlands, with a patient catchment extending nationally.

It is a specialist orthopaedic hospital with a world-wide reputation for innovation and research, the Trust provides elective orthopaedic surgery and musculo-skeletal medical services, as well as particular areas of expertise including spinal injuries, bone tumour and disorders affecting muscular development.