A mum of two will have her head shaved by a top snooker player to raise money for Farleigh Hospice.

Debbie Chapman, 37, of Mersea Fleet Way in Braintree, will then donate her waist-long locks to the Little Princess Trust, which makes wigs for sick children.

Former world number two Ali Carter, who lives in Chelmsford, was a friend of Debbie’s dad Barry Parker, who died from cancer in April.

Two-time World Championship runner-up Carter has also suffered from testicular and lung cancer.

Mrs Chapman said: “Farleigh Hospice were just amazing. They still are, they are sorting out counselling for my mum and children.

“They made such a hard time so much more bearable. It’s not NHS funded, it’s all charity.

“I just wanted to give something back.”

Mrs Chapman said her dad was well-loved and kept his sense of humour even when he was gravely ill.

She said: “Even in the hospice he was making jokes, he saw we were getting low and he would crack a smile.”

The event will take place at Stepfield Snooker Club in Witham at 2pm on Saturday, October 11.

To donate visit justgiving.com/Debbie-Chapman3/.