A fundraising father from Begelly has raised £3,500 for charity, by cutting off his extra long locks.

Leighton Davies, who had been growing his hair for the past five years, finally had the chop last week with an event at Coastal Galleries in Narberth, where a charity auction, with items donated by local businesses, was also held, to raise money for the SCBU (Special Baby Care Unit) at Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest, and the Bucketful of Hope Appeal for the cancer unit at the hospital, both causes which are close to his heart.

"It was great to finally be rid of all that hair. My little boy likes me better now - he thinks my head feels better a bit fuzzy!" said Leighton.

"I'd like to say a huge thank you to all those who have sponsored me and all those who contributed to the auction, as £3,500 is a great sum to have raised for these two worthy causes, so I'm delighted," he continued, wishing to thank the following businesses who donated charity auction items:

Wisemans Bridge Inn; Fredericks, Narberth; Welsh Farmhouse Company, Narberth; Creative Cafe, Narberth; Joys, of Tenby; Celtic Vision, Narberth; Jazz Sweetshop, Tenby; Folly Farm; Indigo, Tenby; Lollies Sweetshop, Tenby; The Flower Girls, Tenby; Jagos, Tenby; The Picture Box, Tenby; Tenby Angling; Blue Lagoon; The Wood Shop, Tenby; Aerobeach, Tenby; Parrys Shoe Shop, Pembroke Dock; Jane Davies, Stepaside; Get Connected, Tenby; Manor House Wildlife Park; KMF, Kilgetty; Charles Birt, Tenby; Popes Garage, Haverfordwest; Pretty Lovely, Narberth; Watermans Arms, Pembroke; The Royal Oak, Saundersfoot; Ice Cream Shop, Saundersfoot; Harbour Gifts, Saundersfoot; Bronwens, Saundersfoot; Boston House, Saundersfoot; Chobbles, Saundersfoot; Idos, Narberth; Puffin Cottage Holidays.

Special thanks go to Coastal Galleries for giving the use of their Narberth Gallery for the evening, providing refreshments and donating a stunning painting to auction; to Andrew Price for cutting Leighton's hair, compering the evening and donating fantastic items for the charity auction; Dingle Marquee Hire, Narberth, for providing tables and chairs for the evening free of charge; Plum Vanilla Cafe, Narberth, for being on standby; and thanks to Chris and Jaq for being on transportation duties.

Leighton will be taking on another charity challenge soon and is in training to run the marathon in Stratford Upon Avon at the end of April 2012 to raise more money.