By Leicester Mercury | Posted: January 17, 2014
A mum of four who is due to have brain surgery is shaving her head to raise money for charity.
Emma Freeman, from Goodwood, Leicester, is hoping donations will top £1,000 as she prepares to have part of her skull removed to make room for her brain next week.
The 29-year-old suffers from the condition chiari malformation, which was featured in the Leicester Mercury's your Health section on Monday.
She said: "This condition affects about one in 100 people but none of my friends had heard of it.
"When they read about it in the Leicester Mercury, it made them realise what I was going through.
"I think even some family were beginning to doubt me a little. If this helps raise more awareness, it will have done its job."
As she will have to shave part of her head before surgery, Emma decided to incorporate it into a fund-raising drive.
She said: "I thought I would go the whole way and let the children shave my head to raise money for LOROS.
"My grandma died there when I was nine and I remember the staff being amazing.
"I started off thinking I would raise about £200 but it has gone mad. I am hoping it will be even more – it would be nice to get to £1,000."
To sponsor Emma, go to: