Digs 4 Dogz owner is shaving her head for St Michael's Hospice

Emma Farnden, 55, will go under the razor on Saturday night while her graphic designer daughter will afterwards paint the message, "stay home now" on her head.

Mrs Farnden, from Ramsdell, said the idea "just came to me" and felt compelled to help St Michael's Hospice survive the Covid-19 crisis.

Charities and hospices up and down the country rely on generous donations from the public and as the country approaches a recession, their future is under threat.

In memory of mum: Emma Farnden with her late mother Pat

"The hospice's home team helped care for my mum in her last days. The support was amazing and I don't know what I would have done without it. This hospice has to be here for us all once this is over," she said.

The business owner, who runs the emergency boarding house Digz 4 Dogz, added the decision was also in support of two friends who are currently bald, due to chemotherapy.

Mrs Farnden's mother Pat Griffiths was an English and sociology teacher at Cranbourne School for 30 years.

She passed away around five years ago.

So far, Mrs Farnden has raised £1,390 with donations from 59 supporters. She is hoping to hit £5,000.

The plan is for her daughter's boyfriend Jonathan Chadwick to shave her head before Megan, 24, paints the 'Stay Home Now' logo on her mother's head.

The striking reversed NHS logo was designed by St Luke's advertising agency, run by Mrs Farnden's childhood friend and former Basingstoke schoolboy Neil Henderson.

The striking image sees the iconic blue-and-white NHS logo reversed, carrying the key instruction of the pandemic.

Mrs Farnden said: "I know times are hard for many currently but I ask all those who can, to donate whatever they can to this amazing cause.

"I'm not going anywhere for some time so who needs hair?"

To donate, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/emma-farnden.