A PONTYPOOL woman, who has endured two kidney transplants and is almost entirely blind after being born with a rare genetic disorder, has shaved her head for charity.

Lisa Tainton, from New Inn, shaved off her blonde locks on the day of her 42nd birthday at Ultimate Hair in Pontypool, on March 11, along with her two sons, Dominic, 14, and 11-year-old Kieran.

Ms Tainton was born with Senior-Løken Syndrome - a rare disorder characterised by the combination of a kidney condition and an eye condition.

The prison service worker originally set a target of £1,000 but managed to surpass that by raising £1,264 so far for Guide Dogs and the Kidney Wales Foundation.

Ms Tainton, who is registered blind and has a German Shepherd guide dog called Ava, said: “Since birth I have had a genetic condition which is really rare called Senior-Løken Syndrome.

“My mum and dad were carriers of the gene .

“Buit is really rare and I just happened to be born with the condition-both of my siblings are fine.

“I’ve got severe tunnel vision – if you imagine the side of a five pence piece, I can see less than that.

“I wanted to raise money to give something back.”

The former Swansea University student, who studied German, Italian, and Business Studies, has also been forced to undergo two kidney transplants as part of the rare syndrome.

Ms Tainton is now on her fifth Guide Dog and has given her retired Guide Dogs to her mother.

Of the head shave she said “It is just to say thank you.

“When I said to the kids what I was going to do they wanted to be a part of it.

“They cut off the hair in bunches so that it can be sent to Macmillan who will also make wigs out of it.

“Before I did it my family were like, ‘are you sure’ but I was like, ‘it’ll be fine it’ll grow back.’”

To donate, go tojustgiving.com/teams/gdkwf