A mother has shaved her head in memory of her son, who died from a rare form of bone cancer.

Janet Wheatley, 56, of The Lowe in Chigwell, was shaved at the Nightingale pub in Wanstead on the ninth anniversary of the death of her son Christopher.

The Caterham High School pupil died at the age of 14 from Ewing’s Sarcoma, but helped to raise over £37,000 for charity while he was alive.

Mrs Wheatley raised over £1,000 for the Teenage Cancer Trust, which supported her family during her son’s illness.

She has donated her hair to the Little Princess Trust, a charity which donates real-hair wigs to children who have lost their hair through cancer treatment.

She said: “It was a wonderful evening and I had such amazing support from everyone – the pub was absolutely packed.

“Everyone chipped in, even the barmaids, who donated their tips on the evening to the charity.

“I just wanted to do something in memory of my son and keep raising money in his name. I want to continue helping children who are going through what he did.

“His best friend from school was there nine years later and I am so grateful to the pub for letting me hold the event there for free.”

The event took place on Thursday, when a raffle was also held to raise money for the cause.