TEENAGER Jaret Wrintmore has had his prized long hair shaved to raise money for two charities that support young people.

Young carer Jaret, 13, has already raised more than £500 for Splash and Youth Action Wiltshire and his locks will also benefit the Little Princess Trust which makes wigs for children suffering hair loss during cancer treatment.

The head shave was organised by Community First at its offices on the Hopton Park Industrial Estate, Devizes, last week as part of a Christmas event for staff, trustees and supporters. Splash supporter, Lady Gooch, The High Sherriff of Wiltshire also attended, to wish Jaret well.

Jaret, who lives in Shaw, near Melksham and is a pupil at Corsham School, looks after a family member at home and receives support from Community First’s youth programmes.

He said: "I have received loads of help, over the last couple of years, from Splash and Youth Action Wiltshire and done loads of great activities.

"By doing the sponsored head shave I wanted to give something back to the charity that has helped me and my family. Being able to help the children’s cancer charity too is great."

Community First Chief Executive Lynn Gibson said: "It’s lovely that Jaret has decided to support both our organisation and Little Princesses in such a selfless way.

"Our Young Carers programme provides respite options, practical advice, training and care for the young people that we support. The Splash programme provides confidence building in the form of sporting and outdoor activities and training. We are delighted to have played a part in growing Jaret’s confidence and assisting him and his family."

Jaret has been attending a Community First-run young carer group for two years. He was referred as he has been caring and providing emotional support to a family member for two to three hours a week over the past three years. Jaret has taken part in many activities with the Youth Action Wiltshire branch, which puts on events to support young carers.

Earlier this year he won a logo contest organised by Community First. His design has been used on the charity's correspondence during this year's 50th anniversary campaign.

Lynn Gibson, the assistant chief executive of Community First, said of his artwork: “We liked the design as we feel the holding hands shows us coming together as a community and a charity.”

Jaret said at the time: “I used the stick men to represent that it doesn’t matter what you look like, don’t judge someone just from the outside."