A TROWBRIDGE man had his waist-length hair cut clean off in aid of Children with Cancer UK and as a tribute to his cousin who overcame the illness.

Ben Cartwright, of Pitman Avenue, had his hair shaved off at the White Swan in Church Street and managed to raise £1,350 for the cause.

To help the 25-year-old smash his £1,000 target, he also did a 24-hour gaming stream which was inspired by his cousin Jak Attfield, 14, overcoming cancer.

“When Jak underwent chemotherapy from 2008 to 2010, I would visit him in hospital and we would play on the Xbox 360 together, his story inspired me to do this,” he said.

“When I learned about him getting cancer, I could not believe the news. I was shocked and worried. I would travel to Bath’s Royal United Hospital after school and at the weekend I would sometimes stay over.

“Our days were purely game filled with the Xbox 360. We both shared a passion for gaming, especially Halo 3 at the time.

“He wouldn’t cry, he wouldn’t argue, anything that needed to be done, he would sit there and say ‘Just do it’. That to me was truly inspirational, to just take everything as it came.

“When he had his last chemotherapy session I spent the night there and I was honoured to be part of his last session. Now he is having the time of his life with the family in Australia, playing football and playing the games, just like he always did.

“A few friends and family came down to the pub to see the deed be done. First the pony tail was cut off, then the hair was gradually taken off and shaved down. My head is a bit colder now but it is all for a good cause.”

Jak was one of many to join Mr Cartwright on the gaming stream.