WHEN Alex Brown vowed to get his head shaved aged 12, his dad Tim thought the idea would be forgotten.
Tim told him he could have a sponsored shave when he was older, as he was too young to have such an extreme hairdo.
But Alex never forgot the promise and has now had his locks chopped off at age 16.
The teenager made £594 for Dove House Hospice when clippers met hair on Saturday.
"I was a bit nervous before, but mostly I was looking forward to it," said the Winifred Holtby pupil.
"When I saw the hair falling down, I didn't realise I had so much of it.
"I was a bit shocked at what it looked like, but I have got used to it now."
Alex first had the idea when his cousin's grandma, Lil Wardell, died from emphysema.
She was given respite care at Dove House Hospice.
Later Alex lost his auntie Janet Dawson to lung cancer, and knew Dove House had helped a lot of cancer patients.
His dad Tim, 45, who attended the charity head shave with his wife Lynne, 44, and other son Adam, 13, said: "Alex wears his heart on his sleeve and feels people's pain. He shows a lot of empathy with people and saw how sad it was when Lil died.
"He knows the hospice not only helps the patients, but the families too, so that is why he wanted to choose them.
"I told him he was too young to do it at 12, but he could do it when he was 16.
"I can't believe he remembered it all this time."
Alex's hair was shaved off by Judy Byford at Judy's Barber Shop in Sutton.
Alex, who lives with his family in Bransholme, said: "My friends have said I look really different now.
"They are all really proud of how much I have raised."
The family asked for special permission from the school to allow Alex to have his head shaved. Teachers were supportive and members of staff have sponsored him.
Money also came in from local businesses, including the ones his parents work for.
Alex said: "I'm really pleased. I was expecting to raise about £350 so I was really surprised when I realised it was £594."
Alex now hopes to do more fundraising events in future.
He said: "I think my next challenges will probably involve running. I'd like to do some local marathons.
"My uncle runs the Humber Half Marathon, so I might do that with him.
"As well as my family and close friends, I would like to thank everyone who has sponsored me and Judy for doing my extreme trim.
"I'm really grateful for all the support."
