FIRST she gave away a kidney, then her crowning glory.

Jenny Dale, of Iford, who was the first person in the county to donate a kidney for the sake of a complete stranger last year, had her tresses trimmed for charity last week.

The 47-year-old crime scene investigator managed to persuade her two sisters Wendy and Imogen to go for the chop too.

Their locks were donated to the Little Princess Trust, which helps provide real hair wigs for children who have lost their hair through cancer treatment.

“Giving away a kidney is one thing but when it comes to your hair it does become an issue of vanity,” Jenny admits.

The three sisters had been growing their hair in the run up to the charity event in Christchurch last Friday which included a raffle.

The three winning ticket holders were then invited to wield the scissors.

“It was actually quite nerve-wracking sitting there listening to a total stranger hack their way through your hair,” Jenny said afterwards, “At least one of the raffle winners almost didn’t go through with it, as she felt so terrible.”

Fortunately stylists Paulette and Cassie from PH Hair in Boscombe East and Lexi from Clarence’s in Southbourne were on hand to put the finishing touches to their new crops.

The event helped to raise at least £1,500 which will be divided between several charities including the trust and Breakthrough, a breast cancer charity.

For more information email Jenny at jkdale@sky.com or visit littleprincesses.org.uk.

Pair make £3,000 on kayak marathon

TWO people who suffered brain injuries completed a gruelling water marathon to help others in the same boat.

Mark Bardsley from Poole and Jaine Logan splashed along the River Thames for 26.2 miles as others were jogging through the London streets..

They completed their Kayak-athon from Tower Bridge to Chiswick Bridge and back in under six hours, raising a magnificent £3,000 for Poole-based Headway, the charity that helped them recover.

They surprised themselves and everybody who supported them by completing their challenging feat in such a time, accompanied by Jaine’s husband Simon, who cycled the entire length on the towpath.

“It is a milestone considering the adversity that I and others have had to overcome,” said Jaine, 43, from Burley in the New Forest, who has suffered multiple strokes and has had to relearn basic things, including how to speak.

Mark, who has taken part in the kayakathon twice before, suffered his life-changing injury in a motorcycle collision nearly three years ago.

“We are really proud of them at Headway Dorset,” said Kerry Williams, community development worker, and the pair hope to carry on fundraising for the charity.

“We are continuing to raise awareness for this very important charity,” she said.

“But we need to carry on supporting and raising important funds for this worthy cause.

“We are extremely grateful to brave people such as Mark and Jaine, who help keep such an important cause going.”

As well as fundraising among family and friends, they received generous donations from Troika, Sunseeker and Siemens, while Windtek gave them a buoyancy aid.