TWO customers had their long hair shaved off at a Fingerpost pub, helping raise around £3,000 for the family of little Kaycee Bradshaw, who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Kaycee, four, who has Batten Disease, will this week have her first appointment with a specialist at Great Ormond Street in London, where she will take regular trips for a treatment to slow the progress of the condition.

Friends of the family have been fundraising to help finance the travel to and from London for appointments - and also to send Kaycee to Disneyland Paris so she can enjoy it before she loses her eyesight.

On Friday (October 14), a day-long fundraiser was held at The Queens Arms pub, in Higher Parr Street, organised by landlady Carol O'Brien.

Kaycee's mum, Claire Bradshaw, 43, of Padeswood Close, said: "A lot of friends have been raising money, and that is paying for us to go down to London which is amazing. 

"But Carol from The Queens didn't even know us and she held a whole day, with two strangers having their heads shaved, for us. It's just so overwhelming.

"We went to the event and stayed all night and by the time we left I felt like we'd always known each other."

Sharon Ellison, 43, and Karen Mitchell, 50, had their hair cut off at 4.30pm, and, as well as this, pub landlady Carol O'Brien organised a buffet, raffle, cake sale and a karaoke party.

Carol said: "I felt I had to do something for Kaycee after hearing about her. I think we'll have around £3,000 once we have finished collecting.  

"I'd like to thank everyone who provided prizes, food for the buffet and who donated money. We had so many donations from St Helens and beyond." 

Batten Disease is an extremely rare disorder of the nervous condition. Kaycee, who is the youngest of six siblings, was diagnosed with it after losing her mobility and speech. 

The Eaves Primary School pupil was developing as expected until she was two. 

Neighbour Tracey Thompson, set up a just giving page to send Kaycee to Disneyland before she loses her sight. So far, she has raised more than £4,400 of the £5,000 target.

To donate go to justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Justgivingcom - or go to just giving.com and search on 'Travey Thompson'.