A student and lecturer have had their hair chopped to raise money for Cancer Research UK, having both been affected by the devastating impact of cancer.

Jasmine Isaacs lost her mother to the disease two years ago and decided she wanted to help charities combat cancer with much needed funding.

“I want everyone out there to know that they are not alone and we can beat it together,” the animal care student at Duchy College Rosewarne said. “I have been selling bands and cakes and everyone has been contributing, but cutting your hair off is something people give money to charity for so I decided to do that. I wanted to show everyone I’m doing it for family and I hope mum would be proud of what I am doing.”

The former Newquay Tretherras student who wants to become a veterinary surgeon, asked student liaison officer Kate Snook to do the cut as “she has helped me through college”.

Kate explained that all money raised received matched funding thanks to Sue Hocking at Barclays in Camborne. "

She really wanted to support Jas with this because it’s a charity close to her heart having lost family members to cancer,” she added.

Also taking part in the charity cut was George Brougham-Pickard, team lead for animal science, who had his beard trimmed and sprayed purple by a student who donated £10 for the honour.

“I’m having my beard shaved as I have also had people in my family who have died from cancer, so if I can do anything to help raise money and awareness for cancer research I’m going to do it, although I am trying to find a more fitting word than petrified,” he explained.

Overseeing the shearing was Sophie Barber, local fundraising manager for Cornwall Cancer Research UK, who thought the pair were “a bit mad.”

She added: “I get a lot of coffee mornings, bake sales and events like that, but this is my first haircut and beard shave I’ve been invited to, so I had to come and see it as is out of the ordinary and very brave - I wouldn’t do it.”

Jasmine and George’s efforts resulted in £315.70 raised, which was matched by Barclays Bank in Camborne, taking the total to £631.40.

Anyone wanting to raise money for Cancer Research UK or to get involved should email sophie.barber@cancer.org.uk.