A KIND-hearted student has raised more than £800 for Dementia UK by having her head shaved.

Eve Walker, a Year 13 student at Richmond Sixth Form College, was motivated to do her hair-raising challenge after completing her work experience at Nightingale Hall in July.

She got so much out of her work experience that she has continued to volunteer at the care home since the summer and visits every week to help where she can.

Eve spends a lot of time with the residents and experiences first-hand the impact of dementia, how it affects not only those who live with the condition but also their families. She also enjoys helping to run a choir and playing games, such as dominoes, which gives the residents a huge amount of pleasure.

Seven inches of Eve’s hair wascut off and has been donated to the Little Princess Trust to make wigs for children who lose their hair during cancer treatment.

Eve, has worked with headboy Saul Tuite to speak to all the Year 12 and Year 13 students at college in charity-themed assemblies to highlight the importance of supporting charities and the many different ways this can be achieved.

Eve said: "I am studying Health and Social Care and have been really interested in finding out about the symptoms of dementia. I hope that what is quite a small gesture of shaving my head can go some way to helping those who are affected by dementia."

Les Richardson, assistant headteacher, said: “I can only admire Eve, not only for having the courage to shave her head but for her ongoing commitment to help at Nightingale Hall care home. We are very proud of her efforts."

Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Eve-Walker1.

Hilda Hayo, CEO of Dementia UK and Chief Admiral Nurse, concluded: “We know that living with dementia can be a difficult and lonely experience. The support of an Admiral Nurse is a lifeline for families affected by dementia and the invaluable support of Eve Walker will mean we can provide this vital, life-changing support to even more families who need it.”