Josh Easterbrook hates having his hair cut. But he went one step further to raise cash in memory of a fallen Bicester soldier.

Cpl Andrew Roberts of 23 Pioneer Regiment, based at St David’s Barracks, near Bicester, had been planning to propose to Josh’s mother Paula Ewers, top right, before the 32-year-old was killed in action in Afghanistan a year ago.

Father-of-three Cpl Roberts was not Josh’s father, but the nine-year-old looked to him as a father figure.

As the anniversary of his death approached, St Edburg’s School pupil Josh decided he wanted to raise cash for the Invicta Foundation – which supports troops injured in Afghanistan – in Cpl Roberts’ memory.

Josh was inspired to shave his head after watching pop star Jessie J shave her head to raise cash for Comic Relief this year.

Josh, of Leach Road, Bicester, said: “It was a bit embarrassing, but it was different from the last time I had it done because we were doing it for charity.”

By yesterday,far he had raised £600.