A woman who lost her father to cancer just days before her wedding is to donate all her hair for charity.

Gemma Masters, of Kings Road, Harrow, had been planning her perfect wedding for months after she got engaged to long-term partner Lee Woolhead.

Despite her father Steve suffering from bowel and later liver cancer, he was still very much involved in the planning and watched on as the soon to be newlyweds awaited the big day.

Mr Masters had been attending St Luke’s Hospice, in Kenton, since January where he received acupuncture to help with pain management, but was admitted on May 6 – three days before Gemma’s wedding - for end of life care.

He died just two days before the wedding.

Gemma said: “My dad was a very important part of my life and not having him walk me down the aisle was very upsetting, as it was a childhood dream.

“However at least I know that he was happy with me marrying Lee.”

The 23-year-old university student, who is training to be a teacher, now plans to lop off her glossy locks as she goes bald to help raise money in memory of her father and support the charity that in turn supported her.

She said: “St Luke’s is an amazing place which offered support for myself and my family, and without them my Dad would have been unable to see my husband and I prepare for our wedding.

“Both when he was alive and after he had died, there was never a time when something was too much for them to do.

“Without them, I don't feel that me or Lee would have been able to get married two days later.”

Gemma will have her hair cut by Jade Knight at Shapes in Hair, Rayners Lane, on July 24 and is urging people to come forward and donate to the cause.

So far, she has raised more than £2,700 and hopes to raise even more before she goes for the chop.

She added: “I am very happy that I have nearly doubled my target of £1,500 as I know that this money is very important for St Luke’s.

“It is important that the community supports a place like St Luke's as no one knows what their path will be in the future.

“They rely so heavily on donations so that people who are dying are given such personal and loving care in their time of need.”

To sponsor Gemma visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/GemmaMasters.