Jessica Siggins has a surprise in store as she grows her hair to “mermaid length” — in preparation for the chop at St Baldrick’s on March 17.

The notion has been in her head since the St Baldrick’s Foundation, for children with cancer, got going with the annual head shaving in 1999.

“People in my family have had cancer,” Ms Siggins said. “My grandfather had lymphoma; I lost my grandmother to breast cancer last year, and both my mother and I have had little carcinomas.”

Ms Siggins and her husband Daniele Pucci, who own Dangelini’s Café and Bakery on Front Street, count themselves lucky to have two healthy children, Emma, 4, and William, who is almost 2.

“We’re blessed,” she said. “I can’t imagine what the mothers of children with cancer go through; it breaks my heart.”

She has been growing her hair for the last year and a half: “It’s almost down to my belly button,” Ms Siggins said. “I hoped that would encourage people to join in.”

Signing up for St Baldrick’s just this weekend, Ms Siggins set an ambitious fundraising goal of $3,000 which she hopes the Dangelini’s clientele can match.

The reaction has been positive, with friends commending her for taking a brave plunge.

“My husband is bald; he voluntarily shaves his head,” she said. “I just hope people don’t get us mixed up.”

To make a donation to Jessica’s cause or to learn more about the charity, go to www.stbaldricks.org