A hair-raising stunt has helped a deaf and blind champion horse rider get nearer her dream of competing in the Paralympics.
Alec Porter, pictured here, manager of the Sensory Needs Service at Morley Street Resource Centre in Bradford, lost his shoulder-length hair to raise cash for Mandy Schofield's riding career.
Mandy, of Queensbury, only started riding six years ago but was instantly addicted. She has been the National Riding for the Disabled Association dressage champion for the last two years and now wants to get to the games in Athens next year.
But she needs to pay for training, equipment and transporting herself and her horse to competitions all over the country.
Staff at the resource centre wanted to help and they decided manager Alec's hair had to go to boost fundrasing.
Bradford Council runs the Sensory Needs Service which provides Mandy, who can only hear with the help of a hearing aid, with a guide support worker several hours a week.
"The head shave was something the staff suggested," Alec said. "So far we have raised about £300 and we are hoping for some major business sponsorship for Mandy as training costs are expensive."
Mandy's love of riding began after her support worker Carol Exley suggested she take part in a "have a go" day at the Riding for the Disabled Association group at Throstle Nest in Fagley.
She discovered she had an affinity with horses immediately
"I just really loved being in the environment of the horses and being around them."
After a few years Mandy found she enjoyed dressage, where horses perform set manoeuvres signalled by the rider.
She knows when the horse approaches a fence she has to turn and someone shouts out letters from the side of the arena which indicate what manoeuvre she has to do.
The 30-year-old said she was thrilled with her success so far.
"I can't believe it . I did not realise I was going to do as well at it as I have."
Her love of riding has also led to Mandy studying for a diploma in horse care and management at Craven College. But her ultimate aim is the Athens Paralympics.
"It's my dream to go to the Paralympics. You get the chance to ride a different horse which is quite exciting," she said.
"Somebody I know has been in the Paralympic squad and I would like to work up to that sort of level."
She needs to pay for training with one horse, as well as transport and taking part in other contests.
"It's an ongoing thing as there are lots of competitions coming up," she said.
Anyone who wants to contribute or sponsor Mandy should contact Morley Street Resource Centre on (01274) 435001.
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