A DAD and his daughter have raised more than £1,000 for the children’s cancer charity Candlelighters after getting all their hair shaved off.

Nick Turnbull, of Clifton, and his youngest daughter Hetty, seven, say it suddenly feels much colder after losing their insulating hair - and in Nick’s case ‘Santa beard.’

Nick said Hetty returned to her school, Forest of Galtres in Shipton by Beningbrough, to cheers from her classmates.

Nick, the managing director of York design and print firm Inc Dot, said he had been compared since the shave to a ‘fat Buddha,’ Gru in the film Despicable Me and Uncle Fester in TV’s Addams Family.

The pair had raised £1,190 in online sponsorship by yesterday morning, with Nick expecting the final total to come to about £1,500.

He said his family and business had long supported Candlelighters, which provided practical, emotional and financial support to children with cancer.

He and Hetty went for the chop he had chatted to her about the effects of chemotherapy and she asked if they could both get their hair cut off.

Nick and Hetty have been hailed by sponsors for their hair-raising feat at Ross Charles Hairdressing in Gillygate on Monday. Geoff Cox said: “What a great thing to do for a really worthwhile charity. You are both super heroes, but Nick please grow it all back as soon as possible!”while Nick Neil said: “Well done Nick. I know how much effort you have put into that fine beard! And well done to Hetty for coming up with ‘hair-brained’ scheme...”

Miss Heaton, from Hetty’s school, said: “Well done Hetty... Class 3 are very proud of your charitable effort. You are a superstar.”

*To support the pair, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/nick-turnbull9