A Stoneleigh mum who watched her hair get shaved off for charity has helped raise nearly £2,000 for The Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton.

"Hundreds" of parents and children looked on as Gail Benghiat, of Seaforth Gardens, saw her hair get cut during the charity fundraising bid.

It follows after learning that her close friend Emma is battling Non-Hodgkin lymphoma again after being cancer-free for seven years.

The mum-of-three said: “As well as raising over £1,900 for charity, I wanted to raise awareness of the fantastic work The Royal Marsden does and show support for my great friend Emma, who has lost much of her hair due to chemotherapy.”

Meanwhile, her youngest Oliver is growing his hair to donate to the Little Princess Trust who provide real hair wigs to children and young adults.

A total of £1,993.30 had been raised at the time of publishing, smashing the £1,500 target which was set originally.

Emma's son Louis, who is a qualified hairdresser at NESCOT, performed the shave.

He said: “It was a great opportunity to put my skills to the test in front of a big audience and I am proud to be helping the hospital that has helped save, not only my mum’s life but so many others.”

Miss Gunner, deputy headteacher of Cheam Common Junior Academy, said the school is “excited” to be part of the local community and able to support a worthwhile cause.

The headshave took place on July 17 but donations are still being raised for The Royal Marsden Hospital.

If you wish to donate, click here.