A BOY has shaved off all his hair for charity in memory of his grandmother who died.

Matthew Murphy, aged 13, from Griffithstown decided to have his head shaved to raise money for Velindre Cancer Centre where his grandmother Jennifer Corken was treated.

His grandmother died at home on April 16 and she had been attending the centre for five years with her husband Alan, following her cancer diagnosis.

He said: “I didn’t like my hair and so I wanted to take it all off. I decided to get it shaved and to raise money for Velindre.

“It feels a bit weird, but I’m getting used to it. I’m glad I did it because it’s for a good cause.

“I wanted to do it in memory of my nan. We were quite close and I miss her.”

His mother Tracy Murphy said her son came to her with the idea and she began organising the head shave with the support of Velindre.

She and her husband Gerry Murphy are both proud of their son and his fundraising.

“I am very proud of him and his grandad is also really proud,” she said.

“I spoke to Velindre about the head shave and I spoke to BoJangles’ barbers and they were more than willing to help out.

“He goes there for haircuts anyway so he knows the staff. They were really helpful and made him feel at ease.”

She added: “It didn’t last very long, and his hair was gone quite quickly.

“He doesn’t look that bad with a shaved head actually, I was expecting it look a lot worse.”

Matthew raised £293 for the charity by doing the head shave and the family went for a special lunch to celebrate.

They plan to do more fundraising in memory of Mrs Corken in the future.

Mrs Murphy said: “The work Velindre do is outstanding and you know you are in safe hands.

“The staff were brilliant, and they were so good to my mum, and to us.”

To donate to the charity, visit velindrefundraising.com/donate or call 029 2031 6211.