A MUM has bravely got a head start on her bid to raise £4,000 for Arthritis Research UK.

Tracy Beynon, who was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) six years ago, aims to reach the total in two years, when she will be 40.

Her fund-raising began earlier this month on her 38th birthday, when she had her head shaved.

The event took place in Tenby’s Buccaneer pub, and Tracy, of East Williamston, said: “The evening went really well.

"We collected £431 in buckets on the night and so far we have raised almost £1,600, which is amazing, and there are more donations coming in all the time.”

Tracy thanked everyone who had helped with fundraising, including her 14-year-old son, partner Neil, family and friends and hairdresser Karen Bassett.

Although Tracy has had RA symptoms since she was 11, it was only after a very bad flare-up that left her temporarily unable to care for herself that the disease was formally diagnosed.

RA is the second most common form of arthritis in the UK and is an auto-immune disease that causes inflammation in the joints.

In one in five cases - which includes Tracy - the condition develops rapidly with pain, swelling, extreme fatigue and severe stiffness.

Now on a mixture of drugs that are partially working, Tracy said: “I would like to give something back and to raise some money towards research into this debilitating disease.

"My aim is to raise £4,000 for Arthritis Research UK to ensure they have some funding towards working on new methods of treatment for this condition, and possibly one day, a cure.”

Tracy is planning to hold some coffee mornings and an auction of goods and promises later in the year to help to her total.

Donations to her fundraising can be made on www.justgiving.com/tracys4kby40challenge.