Published at 16:03, Monday, 25 February 2013

A GRANDMOTHER who went without a haircut for eight years while caring for her late husband is to have her locks trimmed to support a children’s hospital.

Maureen Mason, 60, lovingly cared for husband David around the clock for seven years before his death, aged 84, following a long illness.

Mr Mason lost an eye 13 days before the end of the war following an accident with a mining spike while serving as an able seaman in the Royal Navy.

Years later, he lost the sight of his other eye after glaucoma went undetected for around four years.

As Mrs Mason, a former carer who still volunteers with Furness Carers, selflessly tended to her husband, she simply never found the time for a haircut. For the first time since her youth, the grandmother-of-eight’s hair has crept midway down her back.

After being touched by a TV programme highlighting the expense of running Great Ormond Street Hospital, Mrs Mason already supports the children’s centre with a monthly direct debit.

But on Thursday, the mum-of-three will have her hair cut to neck-length at Halo Hair and Beauty in Buccleuch Street, Barrow, to raise more money for the London-based centre of excellence.

Mrs Mason, of Biggar Garth, Walney, said: “The reason it’s got so long is because I was nursing my late husband and just didn’t have the time to go to the hairdressers – he was the best thing that ever happened to me.

“I’ve not had it cut since well before he passed away and it’s just over five years since he died, so it must be about eight years.

“I’ve had one trim when a local lady came and took the ends off.

“I used to have it cut quite short. The last time I had long hair was when I was in my 20s. I think I’m getting a bit old for long hair now.”

Mrs Mason hopes to donate her hair to the Little Princess Trust, which provides real-hair wigs to boys and girls who have lost their hair through cancer treatment.

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/Maureen-Mason1 or call Mrs Mason on 01229 471907.

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk