A ROMSEY riverkeeper stepped up alongside his three daughters to help raise money for the Gamekeepers Wildlife Trust (GWT).

The charity specialises in supporting people in any of the gamekeeping professions and their family members, providing wide-ranging help for around 1,000 individuals and families a year.

Jon Hall, who manages the River Test on Broadlands Estate, responded to a request from Ruth Kerr, the GWTs communications manager, who was looking for people to help cut her hair for charity.

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Ruth gave up haircuts in 2022, raising money for GWT’s work with families and growing hair for the Little Princess Trust, which provides wigs for children and young people. Earlier this year she began searching for youngsters from the gamekeeping community to help with her Big Cut.

Hampshire Chronicle: Ruth with Pheobe, Jennifer and Ellie at the end of the haircutRuth with Pheobe, Jennifer and Ellie at the end of the haircut (Image: Gamekeepers Welfare Trust)Jon said: “Ruth lives fairly near to us in Test Valley. She reached out to local riverkeepers, word got around, and my wife Zoe and I were happy for our girls to help”.

Jon and his daughters Ellie (seven), Jennifer (10) and Phoebe (12) all wielded scissors under the supervision of Dawn from Paul Light Hair Salon.

Jon continued: “Dawn, Paul, and all at Paul Light Salon in Bradbeers Romsey were really supportive – I’m so grateful to them all for all their help and the brilliant job they did, all free of charge to help two charities”.

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Ruth said: "I was casting about for someone to help, and Jon took the bait.

Hampshire Chronicle: Jon with RuthJon with Ruth (Image: Gamekeepers Welfare Trust)“It’s wonderful his girls have helped me with this. As a keeper’s daughter myself, I really value that GWT’s help is there for every member of the family, in any circumstance. It was important to me to involve youngsters from a similar background to mine – the sort of youngsters GWT so often supports.”

In total, Ruth managed to raise more than £1,100, and also donated 18 inches of hair to The Little Princess Trust, leaving the salon with “GWT” shaved into the back of her head.