A MOTHER gained a bit more than a new look when she cut off her hair for the first time in a decade.

Rose Kigwana, 47, has had dreadlocks for ten years but decided to chop them off and raise money for a good cause at the same time.

She has so far made more than “1,000 for the National Emergencies Trust, which is handing out vital cash to charities in Brighton and Hove.

Rose, a mother of two, lives with her partner Jason Nuttall in Seven Dials, Brighton.

She has already had lots of support for her new look.

But she admits it was an emotional thing to do as she started growing her dreadlocks when her first son was born.

She said: “It was hard to take the step to do it.

“When I started, I was not sure if I wanted to.

“But then as the hair started to come off, I thought, ‘oh my god’, I had committed then and had to keep going.

“It took two hours to cut it all off, then Jason helped shave my hair afterwards.

“Occasionally the dreadlocks were annoying.

The Argus:

“I’m mixed race and always had a lot of difficulty with my hair.

“I grew it to feel in touch with my roots, but it was heavy, especially in the rain.”

Rose works as a dance producer to give people who may not have the chance to perform an opportunity to express themselves. But now, she is in lockdown with Jason and her two sons.

The Argus:

She said: “One son told me I’m very brave and told me it suits me, the other didn’t want me to do it.

“But their friend said I was a cool mum so I’m glad I went for it.”

Rose hopes to keep fundraising for charity so far – and her new lockdown look is sparking plenty of conversation. To donate to Rose or to find out more visit crowdfunder.co.uk/goingbaldforcovid.