A SELFLESS act saw a woman brave the shave last weekend to raise funds for an autism charity.

Kerry Potts of Fellview, Whitehaven, shaved her hair on Sunday after raising sponsorship funds in aid of Bee Unique.

Autism charity Bee Unique points parents of children on the spectrum to the services available and provides support of their own – guiding them through the challenging and often frustrating process of getting the provision their child needs.

It is a personal cause to Kerry, who said: “Being a parent of a child with autism is often a lonely place – once they’re diagnosed, that’s it, you’re left to your own devices which at times can be very overwhelming.

“The lack of sleep and feeling alone creeps in, I thought with having one already diagnosed it would be a lot easier for me – damn was I wrong. No one with a child with autism is the same.”

She said: “Bee Unique has given me a different outlook on life with autism to know I am not alone and on the tough days there’s a support network right there with no judgement.

“Bee Unique is a place of acceptance and belonging and not being judged, not just for me but a lot of autism families.”

Kerry initially planned to raise £200 for the charity, which supports many parents like her and their children.

She hit that early target rapidly so decided to up the ante: if she received £500 in donations she would dye her hair in the Bee Unique rainbow colours before shaving it.

Kerry more than doubled that target, raising over £1,100 and becoming the charity’s highest individual fundraiser to date.

Nadia Shaw, co-founder of Bee Unique said: “The Bee Unique team are absolutely amazed by Kerry’s kind heart and are thankful for the support that everyone has shown her.”

Bee Unique is now set to offer parent support sessions, providing an hour to relax and talk with a coffee.

It is hoped the sessions can take place in Workington, Flimby, Whitehaven, Cleator Moor, Egremont and Keswick when further easements of coronavirus restrictions allow.

The charity wants to know which days would best suit the families who would make use of the service.

Leave a comment on the Bee Unique Facebook page to let them know.

Activities for families will be taking place at the charity’s base, Ghyllhead House, in the coming weeks and people can find out how to get in touch on their page.