A HAIRDRESSER whose illness sparked a year-long fundraising drive has vowed to take on new challenges.

Anne-Marie Male and friends, the Baldies, raised £33,000 for the Dorset County Hospital appeal to buy and install a digital mammography scanner.

Having now been given the all clear, Mrs Male is returning to work in a salon with two of the group, Jessie Carney and Jo Shooter, who shaved their heads to star in a charity calendar.

She said: “I worked as a mobile hairdresser throughout my treatment and now I feel I have the confidence to go back into the salon, with the support of my friends.

“I last worked in a salon 19 years ago and my treatment was one challenge, and I have done that, so taking on a new challenge is the next stage.”

Mrs Male was diagnosed with cancer in October 2010.

When her chemotherapy started, several close friends pledged to shave their heads in support, eventually leading to the creation of a calendar in aid of the DCH digital mammography appeal.

The fundraising drive, backed by the Dorset Echo, inspired individuals and businesses from across the county to raise the £500,000 needed for the scanner at the hospital’s breast cancer unit.

But it was the Baldies, by raising cash through the calendar and various events, who achieved the single biggest donation from a group of fundraisers.

Mrs Male described the group’s efforts as ‘a massive achievement’.

She added: “I have always known Jo and Jessie and I asked if they would like to get involved in the head shave.

“Everyone has been so generous.”

Mrs Male said she would also like to thank two other friends who worked in the salon and formed part of the group – Chloe Eley and Jo Shorey.

“I will still be keeping up my mobile hairdressing, but I am looking forward to the atmosphere of working in a salon again.

“It’s like working with friends. Everyone has been fantastic and I want to say thank you to them for having me.”

Jo Shooter, co-owner of the Eden spa, Weymouth, where Mrs Male is returning to work, said: “It’s really nice to have her back after all this time. Doing all the fundraising was amazing.”

n THE Baldies are continuing their good work with an event at the Pavilion in October in aid of Julia’s House.

Arrangements are ongoing but tickets are expected to go on sale in August.