A BRAVE young stylist from a Highworth salon raised more than £1,600 with a sponsored head shave.

Georgina Kemnitz-Pryor, 19, who works at Karoliina Saunders High Design in Sheep Street accepted the challenge to support Gloucester House's 'Buy a Bed Save A Life' fundraising appeal

The 19-year-old had her head shaved by Jason, one of the rehabilitation centre's residents, in front of a big crowd during the town's May Day festivities.

The money will allow Gloucester House to offer more assisted places to people who cannot gain funding for treatment.

Georgina first learned about the centre's work from Martyn Watson, who works there and is a regular client at the salon.

Georgina said: “Chatting to Martyn, I began to understand just how important Gloucester House is to so many people in this area and I wanted to do something to help.

"The head shave seemed like a good idea."

Martyn, who also works for the Salvation Army, was thrilled that Georgina’s efforts had received so much support from the local community.

He said: "It has been an absolutely brilliant achievement.

"The centre works with men with alcohol and drug addiction.

"This money will be used to fund people who cannot get other means of funding.

"Thank you so much to everyone who donated.”

While Georgina was braving the shave, all her colleagues from the salon were fundraising too.

Her boss Karoliina Saunders spent the entire day braiding hair and raised £145.

She said: “We always get involved with the traditional May Day celebrations but this year was very special because we used the event as a chance to raise money for Gloucester House.

"It is a charity of which we are all very proud and we were so happy that we were able to raise this money.”