A BRAVE mother has swapped her shoulder-length locks for a closely shaven crop to raise money for a special school.Julie Power, 32, who works at Claydon High School, decided to organise a sponsored head shave to raise money for the Thomas Wolsey School in Ipswich.

A BRAVE mother has swapped her shoulder-length locks for a closely shaven crop to raise money for a special school.

Julie Power, 32, who works at Claydon High School, decided to organise a sponsored head shave to raise money for the Thomas Wolsey School in Ipswich.

The reprographics technician who has a friend whose son attends the school, stepped in when the school needed to raise £20,000 to continue operating a chair hoist to help disabled children swim.

Ms Power of Thornhill Road, Claydon, has raised more than £300 so far and hopes to increase this total during the next week.

Schoolchildren paid 10p each to watch the event and in the sports hall at Claydon High School yesterday.

"I was very nervous. I had a family wedding at the weekend and everyone said how lovely my hair was. But I am proud of myself because it's something worth doing and I believed in it," she admitted.

"I thought to myself it's dangerous jumping out of a plane and the worse I could get with a head shave was a nick on the neck."

Ms Power said the school's chair hoist was an essential piece of equipment as swimming provided children in a wheelchair with a sense of freedom.

"I thought if I could raise a little bit of money towards the fund to give the freedom they so much enjoy then that would be great," she added.

Anyone who wants to make a donation to the swimming hoist fund can contact the Thomas Wolsey School on 01473 241433.