A SCHOOL pupil had his head shaved in front of friends to raise funds for the Worcester hospice which cared for his grandfather.

Droitwich Spa High School pupil Dan Able has been shorn of his long locks to raise over £1,000 for St Richard’s Hospice in memory of his granddad.

The cool-headed pupil said: "I was inspired by my late granddad, Brian Shore, who was looked after extremely well by St Richard's Hospice in his last days before he very sadly passed away while in their care.

"I know some people obsess over their hair but not me! I had fairly long hair before getting my head shaved, so I also felt that by shaving my head I could symbolise the strength of those who lose their hair due to cancer.”

He added his thanks to Mat Rowe and Anna Durose from Hair Shack in Droitwich who kindly shaved Dan’s head for free.

Jayne Sargeant, St Richard’s Hospice Community Fundraiser, said: “We are really grateful to Dan and his supporters for raising such a wonderful amount for hospice care in memory of his granddad.

"The whole school really get behind our work and we are delighted to be chosen as their charity of the year.”

St Richard’s Hospice provides free specialist palliative care for patients living with life-limiting illnesses and supports their families.

Each year the hospice team supports over 2,500 patients and family members in Worcestershire with compassion, kindness, dignity and respect.

Patients are cared for in day hospice, the 17-bed in-patient unit or in their own homes by a specialist professional team as well as many trained volunteers.

In the unit, specialist staff are on hand 24 hours a day to manage patients’ symptoms and where, if appropriate, patients may spend the last few days of life in comfort and dignity.