FUNDRAISER Kay Northall is hoping her new hairstyle will not only turn heads but also make a few pounds for paralympic hopeful Shane Hartop.

The 60-year-old is the aunt of Mr Hartop’s girlfriend, Amy Lockey, and she was keen to help him in his efforts to buy new equipment so he can compete in the target sport boccia.

After a trip to Foxy Hair Design in Marlborough, Mrs Northall, who lives in Fyfield, is now sporting a blue and red do – inspired by the colours of Mr Hartop’s boccia balls.

So far Mrs Northall has raised £550 and hairdresser Michelle Pugh offered her expertise free of charge.

She said: “Shane so desperately wants to get to the paralympics so I straight away said 'well I know what I'm going to do' and he was absolutely over the moon about it.

"I got a bit nervous in the morning and I was thinking 'why am I doing this' but I love him to bits and that's why I'm doing it.

"I expect people will have a good laugh but I don't care, its for a good cause."

Mr Hartop, 23, of Five Stiles Road, Marlborough, suffers spinal muscular atrophy, a muscle-wasting condition and first started playing boccia, a sport for the disabled that is similar to bowls, when he was 12.

He is hoping to raise £3,200 for a new ramp which is used to release the ball towards the jack.

Mr Hartop recently competed in the nationals and a top four position would have meant he automatically qualify for the Euros which would have given him a place in the GB team.

In his second game he pulled his neck muscles and lost two of three fixtures.

However, Mr Hartop has been picked up by the England squad and will start training with them at the end of June.

He said: “There's no chance of me getting to Rio in 2016 now but 2020 is my new goal.

"I think what Kay's doing is fantastic. I'm thankful to everyone who has raised money."

So far his fundraising has reached £1,650 and he has been promised donations from Marlborough Bowls Club and the fire station.

Once Mr Hartop reaches £2,500 Pewsey-based Charlie’s Charity will donate the last £1,000 to help him purchase the equipment he needs.

To sponsor Mr Hartop visit www.gofundme.com/shanesbocciaramp and there is also a collection box in Costcutter in St Margaret's Mead.