A teenager will cut off her hair in memory of her father tonight.

Sian Lawrence’s long locks will be chopped off this evening during a fundraising evening for St Helena Hospice, in Colchester.

The 15-year-old hopes to raise more than £1,000 for the hospice, which cared for her father, Ian Lawrence, before he died of pancreatic cancer in 2008.

She originally wanted to shave her hair at school but Ramsey Academy, in Colne Road, Halstead, said she could not hold the event there as it would send “mixed messages” to other pupils, so she will have a grade three hair cut at Scenarios bar in Trinity Street, Halstead, instead.

The school has since helped her to raise more than £70 by holding a bake sale and she hopes a fundraising non-uniform day held yesterday will raise about £400.

Sian, of Reuben Walk, Earls Colne, said: “I’m crossed between feeling excited and nervous.

“I thought it takes something extreme to make people listen and it this is all it takes I’m prepared to do it.”

Her sister, Leanne, added: “Our dad will be so proud, it’s an amazing thing she is doing.”

She also thanked local businesses who have made donations for a raffle which will be held on the night, along with a “human auction,” where friends will auction doing everyday jobs in exchange for donations.

The event will begin at 8pm, with the hair cut taking place about 8.30pm.

Donate at justgiving.com/Sian-Lawrence