Last updated 15:44, Wednesday, 02 July 2008

A FURNESS student who hadn’t had his hair cut for seven years had his locks chopped completely off to raise money for a charity trip to build houses for impoverished villagers in Guatemala.

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He and a friend set off on August 9 and they are both had their heads shaved – Matt’s down to a grade one – to raise the £300 each they need for their trip.

Matt, 22, a multi-media student at the University of Teeside in Middlesbrough and former pupil of Ulverston Victoria High School and Furness College, is currently on work placement in Wellwyn Garden City.

He said: “The shave went very well and our current fund-raising stands at £200, with more sponsorship still pledged to us.

“Three years ago I went to Nicaragua to do something similar and it’s that which as inspired me to get involved in doing things like this more. I saw the opportunity and thought it was something I had to do.”

He added: “It takes around five or six days build one house so we should be able to get through about two houses. We’re staying with a family in Antigua and traveling up to the village every morning and back every night.”

Matt grew up in Scales, where his family still live, and he said: “My family is really supportive.

“I think my mum, Christine, is worried about the trips at first, but always comes around.”

Matt has a blog at www.guatemala2008.m-d-w.co.uk and sponsorship can be donated at www.guatemala2008.m-d-w.co.uk/donate/

More information about From Houses to Homes can be found at www.fromhousestohomes.org.