Angmering’s Ned lops off his luscious long locks

Ned, 11, before he shaves off his treasured blonde hair

Kindhearted Ned Dadson, of Angmering, proved he was a cut above the rest when his charitable exploit raised almost £800 for a needy children’s charity.

Family, friends and customers cheered on the youngster as he had his prize blonde barnet shave off, all in aid of Children on the Edge.

Speaking after his crop, at SHH... hair salon, in Goring, Ned, said: “It feels really weird. It’s like all prickly and it’s just not usual.

A fresh look. Ned holds his chopped hair in his hands

“But I’m feeling quite happy now. Although I really don’t know what I’m going to do with all this money for Children on the Edge.”

Ned, a year-seven student at The Angmering School, has been planning his charity exploit for several months but admitted he had been thinking about the scheme for well over a year.

“I was walking to school one day and it was snowing,” he said. “I saw some children also walking to school.

“One of them had shaved his hair off and I thought would be a good idea.”

At first, Ned wanted to shave his head for a cancer charity.

However, he explained that he instead decided to help a smaller charity which does not have as much funding.

After much debate he opted to help Children on the Edge – a move which his mum Emily said she was very grateful for.

Emily, who works for Children on the Edge, said: “It’s just brilliant. We have always advocated children raising money for those less fortunate than themselves.

“There’s no greater lesson than children learning to be altruistic and helping others.”

Ned spent the past few months rallying friends and family to donate to his cause.

He made a presentation to the congregation at St Margaret’s Church, in Angmering, speaking about the work Children on the Edge does across the globe.

Ned was also supported by the members of the 1st Rustington Scout group, where he is a member.

He added: “I’ve been really shocked by all the support. I never thought I would raise this much money. It will really help a lot of children who are less fortunate than me.”

To donate to Ned’s fund-raising, log onto www.virginmoneygiving.com/NedDadson