A PARTIAL wheelchair user will be shaving his dreadlocks off to raise money for Dorset's first wheelchair rugby team.

David Burns, a left leg amputee, will be losing his 10 year-old and four foot long do for a good cause.

He is hoping to raise £1,000 to buy new specialist wheelchairs for wheelchair rugby team, the Dorset Destroyers

The club, which is new in Dorset, was set up by Nick Coombs, 50. Mr Coombs is also a partial wheelchair user who previously had his knee caps removed as part of one of 43 operations to his legs and his wife Sue Coombs, who is the club's secretary.

The average cost of the specialised wheelchairs is between £2600 - £3000.

Mr Burns, 60 who has been a member at the club for four weeks said: “The aim is to progress the club, there’s people who say that they want to play, but there’s not enough chairs.”

“When you get out there in a wheelchair it’s a fantastic experience.

“Whizzing around the rugby court is such an exhilarating feeling, one which is often not experienced by wheelchair users."

Mr Burns also said that since joining the club he had noticed a positive change in himself. He said that he has started to enjoy life again and wanted other wheelchair users to experience the same benefit and by fundraising for more chairs, this would be possible.

Club secretary Mrs Coombs, 47, said that the act was a labour of love and that they were grateful to Mr Burns for his charitable act.

She said: “The fact that he wants to take on such a massive task is amazing. It brings us nearer to the goal to have more chairs for everyone.”

The four-a-side team currently has 17 official players both men and women, however further players have had to be put onto a waiting list due to the lack of chairs available. The club currently own nine chairs and rent four others.

The team plays every Sunday at The Junction sports and leisure centre in Broadstone from 10.30am-12.30pm. Other members are welcome to join but must have a physical impairment to qualify and be aged 16 or over.

The club is also on the lookout for volunteers and sponsors.

Mrs Coombs said “I think it was needed down here, there’s hardly anything for people with physical impairments.”

To donate to Mr Burn's cause visit justgiving.com/yinby/davidburnswheelchairrugby.