A WEYMOUTH taxi driver has proved a cut above the rest by undergoing a head shave fundraiser after his stepsister was diagnosed with cancer.

Michael Hallett, 41, was born in Bridport and currently works in Weymouth.

Michael’s stepsister Sarah Lynham was first diagnosed with cancer in 2013 and went through numerous stages of chemotherapy before getting the all clear.

But in October last year, around the same time as her birthday, she was told her cancer had returned.

Michael said: “I decided to do my sponsored head shave when Sarah was told her cancer had come back.

“I wanted to raise as much money as possible to help Macmillan Cancer Support, because their nurses do great work with people and their families suffering from all types of cancer."

For the last year, Michael has been having regular old style wet shaves with a cut throat razor in a Weymouth barber shop.

But this time he decided to ask the barbers to shave his whole head with the razor.

Michael took on the fundraising challenge on Friday at Weymouth Vintage Barber Shop and Shaving Parlour, surrounded by his family and stepsister.

He had a fundraising target of £500 but has raised a total of £790, which included more than £290 in tips from taxi passengers and other local stores.

Michael said: “Thank you to everyone who donated, I wouldn't have been able to beat my fundraising target without their help.

"Taxi passengers were giving me £30 in tips on Saturday nights and £15 each week night, which I added to my target.

"I'm especially pleased with the donations from people who don't even know me; it shows that people really are happy to help."

The team at Weymouth barber shop, who are all state certified barbers, also gave Michael a free headshave.

Michael said the fundraiser was his small way of trying to help the nurses who help the people with cancer.

He added: “I know most people who read this won’t know my stepsister, but loads of people will know others who have lost their fight or who are still fighting the horrible disease.

“Please give anything you can to help me show Macmillan that lots of people really appreciate the work that they do, and to help them continue doing it.”

Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people affected by cancer by providing practical, medical, emotional and financial support and pushing for better cancer care.

There is still time to donate towards Michael’s fundraiser by visiting justgiving.com/MichaelsShave.

People can also donate by texting the unique code MHHS73 and the amount they want to give to 70070.