A YOUNG woman who lost her younger brother to a severe bout of flu is planning to have her hair shaved off in his memory.

Macauley Bratherton, from Rhyl, had what he thought were normal flu symptoms but then he started to cough up blood.

He was rushed to Glan Clwyd Hospital where he was put on a life support machine, but died on February 6.

His sister , Michaela Bratherton, 23, is having her long locks shaved off today – which would have been Macauley’s 21st birthday – at Sunnys Bar in Towyn to raise money for the intensive care unit at the Bodelwyddan hospital.

Michaela said of her brother: “I was Batman he and was my Robin and we did everything together.

”The headshave is in memory of Macauley but also to raise awareness about influenza.

“It is always made aware of for the elderly, toddlers and babies, but since most young adults aren’t aware of how serious the flu can get. We just tend to sit on it.

“I’m nervous about having my hair shaved off, with it being quite long. Shaving my hair is a major shock to many, especially my family and friends.

”They know that my hair is my confidence. What inspired me was Maca’s motto: ‘you’ve got one shot’. If that one shot is doing an outrageous act, just to make awareness, I’ll take that shot so no other family have to go through the same we have.”

Michaela hopes to raise £250 for the unit. She is convinced her brother, who was a keen rap musician and released material through YouTube, SoundCloud and Facebook, would back her decision.

She added: “The doctors and nurses at Glan Clwyd Hospital who looked after Macauley were amazing. No words or amounts of money can thank them for what they did in those few days.

“Maca was well and truly the rock of this family. He inspired so many with his music. I'm glad we have it because when you hear his voice, you feel he is still around and that he's not truly gone.”

l To donate, go online at www.justgiving.com and search Michaela-Bratherton1