PEOPLE are going to any lengths to help Carlton Colville youngster Owen Baldry.

But his latest supporter is determined his efforts will not be cut short.

Tomorrow, kind-hearted seven-year-old Charlie Read, from Lowestoft, is having his beloved long hair shaved and trimmed on top at Reddz salon in Lowestoft's High Street in aid of the Owen's Wish to Walk campaign. He already has more than �400 in sponsorship for the appeal, which aims to raise �50,000 to enable three-year-old Owen to realise his dream of walking unaided.

Charlie's mum Karen Read said: 'He has been growing his hair for nearly two years now and it is the longest it has been – he is having a short back and sides and going back to how he used to have his hair.

'There is a link with Owen as Charlie went to Little Stars pre school and that is the pre school Owen attends now. Charlie started saying a couple of weeks ago he wanted to get his hair short again, and so we said about doing it for charity and he was keen.'

Meanwhile, donations have continued to pour in for the appeal, which is raising money to send Owen to America for Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy surgery. His parents Carl and Sacha Baldry began fund-raising on January 20 and, boosted by support from across the region, they have already passed the halfway mark.

This week, the Baldrys received �500 from the Lowestoft Festival Darts League.

League secretary Dave Tasker said: 'In association with David Randall of Uplands Community Centre, we had great pleasure in presenting a cheque for �500.'

The Pot Black club in Lowestoft also held a raffle and auction for the appeal. Club owner Aidan Owens said: 'All in all we raised �580 with a raffle and auction when we had (darts professional) Wayne Mardle do an exhibition.'

Megan Hall and Katelyn Smethurst, Poplars Primary's junior road safety officers, organised a Brightness Day to make everyone aware of the need to wear bright clothes to stay safe at night. Pupils gave money for wearing the bright clothes and this raised more than �196 for the appeal.

Mr Baldry said: 'Last Friday we went to the Easter breakfast in Norwich, which raised about �300 and on Saturday our car boot raised �400, with another �300 in various donations. On Sunday we had a lot of children take part in the Easter egg hunt and the Uplands did a barbecue and a karaoke, which raised just over �200. Even in the rain on Monday people still came and supported the Pakefield Street sale, where we raised just over �250.

'We also got another anonymous donation of �500 on the Justgiving website, which puts us over �26,000.

'We are continuously being shocked by people's generosity and kindness. I cannot thank people enough.'

The events continue tomorrow with a quiz night at Uplands Community Centre, Carlton Colville, from 8.30pm to 11pm. Next Saturday, April 21, a fun night will be held from 7pm at Oulton Community Centre by Cantor's 4 Kids.

Kenny Cantor said: 'The young people at Cantor's Theatre Schools have taken it upon themselves to help with a fun night.'

Tickets are �4.50 each from The Journal's offices, at Cantor's on 01502 742011 or at the door on the night.

? To help the appeal ring Mr Baldry on 07916 859358. To donate online, visit www.justgiving.com/owenswish2walk