A BRAVE fundraiser had a close shave for a cause close to her heart.

Victoria Udell said goodbye to her flowing locks as she took on a charity headshave to raise funds for Cancer Research UK.

Nearly 100 people turned out at Puddletown Rugby Club to show their support as Victoria smashed her fundraising target of £500.

Victoria, 26, said she was inspired to take on the challenge as she has friends who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and her father-in-law died from the illness.

She added: “It was quite a challenge for me because people that know me know I love my hair.”

Stuart Mont-gomerie from SGM Hair in Dorchester did the honours of chopping Victoria’s locks at the rugby club she calls a ‘second home’ after spending years watching her father, stepfather and husband playing for Puddletown.

She said: “We had good support, there were close to 100 people there.”

Victoria lived in Dorchester until last year, when she moved to Winchester with her husband for his work.

She still works at Allum and Sidaway Jewellers in Dorchester and thanked her employers for a generous contribution they made towards her fundraising total.

After setting her sights on raising £500, Victoria has already collected more than £3,000 for her chosen cause and still has sponsorship to come in.

She thanked all those who had donated and also thanked Mr Montgomerie for doing the haircut.

Victoria said she was getting accustomed to her new shorter look. She said: “I’m getting used to it, it’s a bit cold though.”

Victoria is still accepting sponsorship and donations can be made online at justgiving.com/victoria-udell