IT was a bald move but it’s certainly paid off.

Winchester resident Amy Hanson had her head shaved on Monday to raise money for two M.E. charities.

Amy, 31, an M.E. sufferer herself, is mostly housebound and chose the haircut because she cannot take part in daring stunts like skydives or bungee jumps.

She said: “This is a sacrifice I can make. People getting better after this illness means more to me than my hair. People do not realise how serious it gets. Over the past few years some people I know have died from this and 25,000 children in the UK have it.

“I’ve had it for more than a decade but I’m lucky because I had a bit of life before it. But it’s heart-breaking when children have it.”

M.E., or myalgic encephalomyelitis, is a debilitating neurological disease with a variety of symptoms from muscle weakness and chronic fatigue to sensitivity to light and heart problems.

Winchester’s famous Guy Kremer Salon joined Amy’s cause by hosting the shave at its Parchment Street salon, with stylist Mitch Allen wielding the trimmers.

After the shave, Amy, of Alison Way, Oram’s Arbour, who was celebrating her birthday, added: “I have no regrets and I’m really glad I did this. It’s a good birthday present even if I do look like one of the Mitchell brothers from Eastenders!”

She was one of five M.E. sufferers around Britain to take part in ‘The Big Shave’ on Monday and together they have almost reached their target of £2,000.

To donate to the cause visit thebigshave2013.org.