Worthing student fulfils Brave the Shave dream

Ruby Scott-Willings, 12, asked her parents last year if she could take part in the charity fundraising campaign by shaving off all her hair.

Rick and Valerie Scott-Willings, of Raglan Avenue, were understandably concerned about how a short haircut would go down at school and vetoed the idea.

Rick said: “The thought of going back to school even after the six-week summer break just wasn’t suitable, as they would probably send her home for having an unsuitable hairstyle.”

Ruby joined year seven at Durrington High School in September and since the government-enforced closure last month, has been doing live lessons online.

Now it has become apparent schools may not be open for some time, Ruby has finally had the opportunity to fulfil her dream, raising more than £900 with Brave the Shave.

Valerie said: “She started asking about it last year, so we were really pleased she was able to do it. The response has been astonishing.”

Ruby was given a week to raise money before the big cut on Saturday and set a target of £111, to honour the NHS.

Rick said: “Having raised £775, we went ahead and started by tying her hair into bunches and cutting them off, before cutting the rest of her hair as short as we could and then finished off with the clippers.

“Luckily, she loves her new look and after posting her before-and-after photos on the Macmillan website, the money kept coming in. We are all so proud of her and what she has done for this fantastic charity. This difficult time for us all has had a positive moment.”