A KNUTSFORD teenager has had a haircut to enable her to raise money to help her put the finishing touches to a new school in earthquake-hit Nepal.

Lois Beeson, 17, is going on a trip of a lifetime along with a group of Cheshire Fire Cadets in October, to finish off the new building before handing it over to Nepalese villagers.

The school, which was being built in the village of Thulodhunga, at the time of the earthquake, was delayed after the massive shock damaged its new foundations. Building work has since recommenced

Lois had most of her flowing locks cut off before having her head shaved and donated to the Little Princess Trust. At the same time she raised £600 towards her trip, which will cost £3,250 but includes materials to finish off the school

She has also raised money through various charity events including organising a charity meal at Jack Rabbits in Knutsford.

A total of 10 leaders will be accompanying the group of 20 cadets on the trip and between them they will have had to raise £60,000 to enable them to go on the trip.

The group will set off through the Himalayas and will trek for a day and a half to get to the village.

The group is working with the charity Classrooms in the Clouds (CitC), which secured the plot of land plot above the village and arranged for villagers to build the school. The Cheshire group will arrive and get to work preparing the building ready for the children to use.

Lois said: “I’ve tried a number of ways to raise money for the trip and thought that shaving my head would be worth it if I could raise enough money.

"Toni and Guy the hairdressers were brilliant and thanks to them I have managed to raise £600 towards my total. At least I won’t have to worry about what my hair looks like when I’m in Nepal now!”

Nick Evans, youth engagement manager for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, who will be accompany the group said: “I think that Lois is really brave to have done this and I applaud her for raising so much money towards her trip. It is going to be very difficult for the group as a whole once we are in Nepal so at least Lois hasn’t got the added pressure of how she washes her hair.”

If anybody wants to donate to Lois’s trip to Nepal, they should phone cadet manager Vicki Wrest on 01606 868700.