A MUM who lost her son to a rare disorder has had her hair cropped to help raise thousands of pounds for his former school.

Lynn Palmer was desperate to give something back to John Grant Special School in Caister where her son Joshua spent 10 years before his shock death in May.

Her aim is to collect enough money to buy a minibus so future generations can enjoy school trips. And she believes her charity crop on Friday has already put her on course towards securing this ultimate goal. Mrs Palmer lost her son Joshua to sudden adult death syndrome, the adult equivalent to cot death, a week before his 18th birthday.

The 45-year-old, of Gorleston, who is also a vehicle passenger assistant at the school, said she wanted to buy a school bus with wheelchair access and name it after Joshua. once enough money had been raised.

“The hair cut went really well,” she said. “And I love my new haircut. So many people said how much I look like Joshua. But, it was quite an emotional event as well because Joshua’s cousin, six-year-old Jack Gardner, was the first person to cut my hair.”

Joshua had anchondroplasia, or dwarfism, but she said his size never held him back.

He had been looking forward to enrolling at Great Yarmouth College in September after completing his studies at the John Grant further education unit. Mrs Palmer said: “Joshua had 10 years at the school and they did everything for him. I think it’s a fantastic school - he loved every single day he was there.”

The charity event was at the Queens Head in Burgh Castle. Family friend Tracey Thompson was also sponsored to have his head and beard shaved for the appeal.

To donate money to Joshua’s appeal, email Lynn at lynn04@hotmail.co.uk