A MUM who lost six stone to improve her health has braved the shave to help families affected by childhood cancer.

Sarah Pearce, from Middlewich, has raised almost £3,000 for The Joshua Tree, a Northwich-based charity which supports bereaved children.

The 31-year-old works at a supermarket checkout in Morrisons, which generously matched funded her donations.

"I always do something every year to raise money for a cancer charity," said Sarah, who has a daughter Anna, nine, and son Oscar, five.

Northwich Guardian:

Sarah Pearce braved the shave and has raised almost £3,000 for The Joshua Tree

"I have have lost a lot of family members to cancer.

"Last year I did a 15,000 ft sky dive for The Christie and Morrisons matched that."

Sarah, who is also a face painter and entertains children at parties and events, decided to lose her locks to make a stand against people who judge others on their personal appearance.

"I heard someone make a judgemental comment about a lady with no hair," said Sarah. "It upset me. Some people think that your image is the most important thing.

"I would hate for someone to avoid a child who had gone through cancer treatment or had alopecia and lost their hair. I want people to think before they speak in case they hurt someone.

"People come up to me and tell me I look amazing and wonderful because of all the weight I have lost. My appearance shouldn't matter to other people. I only lost weight for my health and my children."

Northwich Guardian:

Sarah braves the shave with daughter Anna, husband Matthew, son Oscar and Darcy the dog

Sarah had her head shaved at a Macmillan coffee afternoon she hosted in her garden.

Northwich Guardian:

Lucy Cartwright and Micaiah Barron enjoy cake at Sarah's Macmillan coffee afternoon

"I plaited my hair into seven different plaits and got seven children to cut one off each," she said. "Then my daughter Anna got the clippers on the rest of my hair and my husband Matthew hacked some off too!

Northwich Guardian:

Sarah's husband Matthew hacks off some of her hair

"I would like to thank each and every person who has donated their time, money and support for this crazy stunt!

"The Joshua Tree provides support for children and their families going through possibly the worst times of their lives after cancer treatment or bereavement.

"They are building a new support centre in Sandiway and have invited me to be a VIP guest when it opens next year."

Sarah's success in losing so much weight has won her three Slimming World titles.

After slimming down from size 22 to size 10 in two years, she has been named Miss Slinky 2018, Greatest Loser 2019 and Woman of the Year 2019 and got through to the regional finals.

Northwich Guardian:

Sarah has lost six stone and slimmed down from size 22 to size 10

"I feel so much more confident now," said Sarah. "Health wise it has made a big difference. I knew I had to do something. Obesity is a major factor in causing cancer.

"I got myself a dog and love going out with her. There is no way I would have been able to walk such distances before.

"Slimming World has been really supportive. I wouldn't be able to maintain my weight without them.

"It's just wonderful to be there. We're like a little family.

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"I would encourage people be selfish and take time out for themselves if they want to lose weight. It's not going to happen overnight but if you really want it, persevere.

"You have to be in the right mind set and want to do it for yourself.

"Now the kids and my family eat what I eat and love the food."