A TEENAGER from Ferndown has had his head shaved in memory of his mum who died suddenly just days before her birthday.

Robert Farrance, aged 15, collected a bumper £400 for the Daily Echo-backed £2.5m Jigsaw Appeal which is raising money to buy lifesaving scanners at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

Ferndown Upper School pupil Robert chose the charity after his mum Jayne used a scanner at the hospital after collapsing at her home with a brain haemorrhage in September, 2003.

She died shortly afterwards and her funeral took place two days before what would have been her 40th birthday.

The family, including husband Paul and daughter Molly, aged 13, were due to go on holiday to Center Parcs the following day to celebrate her birthday, when the tragedy happened.

Robert's grandmother Gillian, of Oakhurst Road, West Moors, said: "It was so sad and we all miss her terribly.

"Robert is a very caring boy and he wanted to do something in memory of his dear mum.

"He grew his hair longer than normal before jokingly saying he would have it all shaved off if his friends and family would sponsor him.

"His family are just so proud of him. It's been a very traumatic time for both him and Molly but they have come through it quite well."

Robert presented a cheque to the hospital's head of fund-raising Diana Newbury.

First published: May 13