A woman had her head shaved to raise money for charity in memory of her brother and aunt.

Gemma Parker had her tresses chopped off on Wednesday – on what would have been her brother Benjamin’s 26th birthday.

Benjamin died aged 12 from the rare cancer sarcoma, which can develop in the muscle, bone, nerves, cartilage, tendons, blood vessels and tissue. Gemma’s aunt, Karena Parker, died from the same disease aged 20.

Gemma, 23, who is a nursery nurse at BonBons Children’s Nursery in Shipley, said: “It is a cause very close to my heart. I want to say thank you to everybody who donated. Their support has really helped me deal with this emotional time.”

Gemma has raised nearly £300 for Sarcoma UK and said she was yet to receive some donations.

Of her new bald look – she previously had shoulder-length hair – Gemma, of Keighley, said: “It’s not too bad – I’m quite enjoying it.”