A Moray boy grew his hair down past his shoulders so he could have it shorn off in honour of his granddad.
Dylan Pumfrey decided to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK charity after losing his beloved grandad, Barry Bell, to the illness.
The youngster became determined to raise funds to fight the disease as he watched the pensioner decline.
When the Kinloss 10-year-old learned other children had raised money for worthy causes by having their hair cut, he postponed all thoughts of visiting the barber for about a year.
When he was satisfied that his blond mane had reached a sufficient length, he set about collecting donations to have his head shaved.
Dylan ultimately gathered more than £400, and he invited his friends round for a party to celebrate as his long locks were finally given the chop.
The youngster said he was “shocked” by the success of his fundraising drive.
He added: “I wanted to support Alzheimer’s Research UK because of my granddad, and for all the other people who are ill and deserve to live their lives happily.”
Dylan’s proud mum, Lynne Pumfrey, added: “I’m chuffed to see him being so generous and doing something so wonderful.
“My dad was barely recognisable before he died – Alzheimer’s completely changed who he was.
“Dylan loved his granddad and wanted to do something to help other people with dementia.
“Hopefully the funds and awareness he’s raised will help to bring us closer to defeating this awful condition.”
Dylan’s hair has been bagged up and will be donated to the Little Princess Trust children’s cancer charity, who will use it to make a wig for a youngster who has lost their own hair through chemotherapy.
Dylan’s granddad’s symptoms began with memory loss, but his condition deteriorated rapidly and within months he had lost the ability to speak and recognise people he knew.
Mr Bell was 76 when he died last October.
Alzheimers Research UK confirmed that Dylan’s collection would be devoted to funding investigations into the disease.
Donations can be made to Dylan’s campaign at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Dylan-Pumfrey
