A customer service worker will have his thick brown hair chopped off and sprayed pink this week as part of a fundraising effort for charity.

Ray O'Callaghan, who works at Cooper Norwich, will be having his hair cut into a Mohican style on Thursday before spraying it pink the following day as part of Breast Cancer Campaign's wear it pink day.

Cooper Norwich, the BMW and Mini bodycentre, in Bessemer Road, will be raising money for the charity that day as bodyshop advisor Judy Hare was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago.

Staff were planning to wear pink on the day, but the scale of the event soon changed when senior bodycentre advisor Mr O'Callaghan, of Dereham, offered to have his head shaved if they raised �1,000

His manager Peter Rushbrooke challenged him to spray his hair pink and a target of �1,500 was set for the challenge.

Mr O'Callaghan said: 'I am a 42-year-old, rather portly man who has worked in customer services all my life.

'I'm personally looking forward to it as I have always had to have very sensible hair cuts.'

He said the reaction of his wife Paula, 42, and daughters Amee, 21, April, 20, and Poppy, 15, was a mixture of horror and amusement.

Mr O'Callaghan was happy to step forward to help raise the money for the charity after seeing his Aunt Liz lose her battle to breast cancer.

He was also responsible for helping his colleague Judy Hare, of Eaton, get diagnosed early.

Mrs Hare, 61, said: 'I originally found a lump in my breast and happened to mention it to him, and he told me to go to the doctors.

'I actually made my appointment and could not feel it so thought I would cancel, but he said if I didn't go he would take me to the hospital.'

Mrs Hare was referred to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital by her doctor, and it was found that she had a stage one tumour.

As it was found so early she was able to have treatment but did not need to undergo chemotherapy.

She has made a full recovery and now encourages women to check themselves regularly and not be embarrassed to go to the doctors.

Mrs Hare added that she was a 'very lucky lady' and thanked the support of her colleagues and husband Colin, 59.

She also thanked the generosity of everyone who has donated.

Mr O'Callaghan has already raised �1,500, with a wide range of companies donating, including hairdressers Adrian Rowe in Eaton, where he will have his hair cut on Thursday.

To sponsor him visit www.justgiving.com/rayocallaghan

Are you doing raising money for a charity close to your heart? Contact Local Life editor Richard Wood on 01603 772423 or email richard.wood@archant.co.uk