THREE close shaves for Craven people have made thousands of pounds for good causes.

Local farm girl Natalie Crisp, a well-known sheep shearer, put down her hand piece and took the place of a sheep by having her own head shorn in front of a crowd of admirers at the Great Yorkshire Show this July.

Natalie’s drastic decision to lose her own hair raised £3,317.49 to date for Manorlands Hospice in Oxenhope. What an amazing amount! Thank you so much to everyone who donated!

Natalie, 28, from Calton, was inspired to be brave when a friend’s father fell ill.

Natalie knew she wanted to do something to raise money for charity and decided that a head shave was not only fitting of her career as a sheep shearer, but also hoped that losing her long blonde locks might be dramatic enough to motivate people to spare a little cash for charity. She chose Manorlands, as she says: “It is a great charity that helps people with many different illnesses.”

Anyone who would like to donate should visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/NatalieCrisp

Nine-year-old Henry Moyns made short work of raising cash for Macmillan Cancer Care when he had his head shaved at True Colours in Cowling.

Sponsorship from friends and family, plus a three-hour bucket collection at Skipton's Tesco store, enabled the Cracoe and Rylstone C of E Primary School pupil to raise a staggering £1,260 for the charity.

Mum Laura said: "We are so proud of him - it's a superb total. He'd like to thank everyone who supported him so generously."

Henry, of Skipton Road, Gargrave, decided he wanted to help Macmillan after the mother of a friend died of cancer.

And chiropodist Chris Jones accomplished a feat of bravery when he had his head shaved to boost a cancer charity.

Chris, whose practice is in Skipton, decided "on the spur of the moment" to help Macmillan Cancer Support after a a few of his patients had been diagnosed with cancer recently.

And hair stylist Tom Sexton was happy to give Chris the closest of close shaves at his High Corn Mill salon in Skipton.

Chris, of Embsay, said: "Thanks to fantastic support from friends and patients £200 was raised in just four days, which was double my original target. I am very pleased."