Fifteen-year-old Hector Marshall from Newbury has raised over £2,000 for the Wales Air Ambulance Charity by shaving off his hair.

Hector decided to 'brave the shave' after the charity's medics saved his aunt Sarah Davies during a serious health emergency.

Sarah was found unconscious and unresponsive at her Llantwit Major home, having contracted a brain infection caused by meningococcal meningitis.

She is currently receiving treatment and rehabilitation in hospital.

Hector, who has been growing his hair since the age of five, said: "After the air ambulance medics attended my auntie and saved her life, it opened my eyes to the work they do.

"I thought it would be a cool thing to do for them.

"Helping raise awareness and funds for this incredible organisation is my way of saying thank you. It’s a really awesome charity, helping others and saving lives. It’s inspired me to want to do more to support the cause."

In addition to raising funds, Hector also donated his shorn locks to the Little Princesses Trust, which provides wigs for children undergoing chemotherapy.

Hector before he shaved his headHector before he shaved his head (Image: Wales Air Ambulance)

Hector said: "I have been growing my hair for such a long time, so people were surprised when I said I was going to get it shaved off.

"Lots of my friends at school were all kind of shocked when they heard.

"But they really got behind it and supported me, and a few of them even got a buzz cut too.

"Loads of family came along to watch me get it done at a local barber.

"We then had a karaoke night – there were lots of duets, so it was a fun way to end the day."

Hector's mum, Claire, expressed her pride in her son’s selfless act.

She said: "When he came to me and said, ‘you can shave your head and donate it to kids with cancer, I want to do that’, and raise money for the air ambulance, I just thought, what a big-hearted boy.

"He has been growing his hair forever.

"He was in a rock band and it was part of his identity.

"For him to let go of it for two incredible causes is such a gorgeous thing to do."

The Wales Air Ambulance Charity needs to raise £11.2 million annually to keep its helicopters and rapid response vehicles operational.

Abi Pearce, the charity's regional fundraising manager, said: "We are so touched that Hector chose to fundraise for our charity after our team helped his aunt.

"The donation of his hair to the incredible Little Princesses Trust alongside his fundraising just shows the kind-hearted person he is. What a super role model."