A TEENAGER had a hair-raising moment to collect sponsor money in memory of her cousin, who died aged 13.

Beth Duxbury, 18, decided to cut off her long locks to raise cash for the Cardiac Risk in the Young organisation, which supports families, and raises awareness of conditions that can lead to young sudden cardiac death.

Beth, of Buryfold Lane, Darwen, was inspired to go short by Becky Duxbury, of Lady Close, Lower Darwen, who died suddenly in 2007.

A coroner found the most likely cause of the Darwen Ladies’ junior footballer’s death was an abnormal cardiac rhythm.

Beth, an apprentice tattooist, who works at Hex Piercing, in Blackburn, said: “When Becky died, the only information we were given was that it was sudden adult death syndrome.

“We were introduced to the charity and they gave us a lot of support.” Beth said she had raised more than £120 from sponsorship, and was also collecting money in tins in shops around Blackburn, including Bradley’s Sandwich Bar, Eagles Wing Tattoo, and Kokino Hair Salon, where she had her hair chopped.

She said: “At first I thought there was no way I would do it because I spend so much money on getting my hair blonde, and I love having it long.

“But I thought I would give up something I love for the charity. I did not think I would be as nervous as I was, but I was thinking about the reason I was doing it.

“Everyone has said I really suit it, but even if I didn’t, at least I have raised a lot of money.”

Beth’s family are also raising awareness of sudden cardiac arrest in the young and are urging people to get screened at one of Cardiac Risk in the Young’s test sessions.

For more information about the charity, and to find out where screenings are taking place, visit www.c-r-y.org.uk/ecg.htm