GETTING a haircut sends fear through many people, worried they will leave with a do shorter than they anticipated. But a Trowbridge woman dispelled that fear when she had 12 inches of her hair cut off for two charities on Friday (September 1).

Taya Penny, 20, of Lambrok Road, Trowbridge, who used to have long, thick hair all the way down to her waist, opted for a new, shorter hairstyle when she had her hair cut to donate to The Little Princess Trust, and to raise money for West Wilts Special Needs Activity Scheme.

The activity scheme provides two weeks of fun activities for 4-18-year-old’s with special needs during the summer holidays, but it needs a lot of fundraising every year in order to provide all of the resources needed to run.

Miss Penny, who works at Tesco Express, Brook Road, explained that the charity didn’t have enough funding this year, and wanted to make sure it wouldn’t happen again.

“I want to raise as much as possible. I set the target at £100 but I want to raise a lot more than that."

She knew she wanted to raise money, but didn’t quite know how.

In a spur of the moment decision, Miss Penny decided to get her hair cut, and help two charities in the process.

She said: “I wanted to do something to raise money, but I didn’t know what until I thought, well my hair is pretty long at the moment, so I thought, why not?

“When I was 10 or 11 I had it cut above my chin. Looking back having my hair as short as that doesn’t suit me, but a few years ago, when it was a shorter length, at the time I really liked it."

Kersha Reeves, of Trevor and John by Amy in Trowbridge, tied Miss Penny’s hair into two ponytails, before cutting it and leaving her with a stylish long bob.

So far, £160 has been donated online, including a generous anonymous donation of £100.

To donate there is a donation bucket at Tesco Express Brook Road or please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/wwsnashaircut