Lowestoft Town striker Chris Henderson in hair-raising encounter

Lowestoft Town striker Chris Henderson has his legs waxed for cancer charities. Kim Bennett did the waxing and they were assisted by Kerry Rose.Here, fellow Blues player Greg Crane joins in.Pictures: MICK HOWES. (Image: Archant)

But he faced an altogether different kind of close shave this week – for charity.

After the Blues' 3-0 home win over Leiston on bank holiday Monday, the team's star striker had his beard shaved and his legs, chest and stomach waxed, raising more than £1,800 for the Lowestoft-based Lauren Lou cancer charity.

The Trawler Boys regular wanted to do something to remember his uncle Phil who died of cancer in July at the age of 51, so he decided to raise some money in his memory.

And after fans gave him stick about the beard he had grown in the close season, he agreed to have it shaved off and undergo the leg, chest and stomach waxing in return for sponsorship.

The total was swelled by donations and a bucket collection during the Leiston game, and Chris said the response from the public, players, club officials and supporters had been 'amazing'.

'My family and I are extremely grateful for people's support and generosity over the past weeks and on Monday,' he said. 'My uncle's wife Pam, his son Nic, sister Nicola and mother Judith were blown away with the support and the total amount of £1817.34 raised for Cancer Research. Also a special thanks to Gary and Kim Bennett, Tommy Henderson (my dad) and the girls from Tones Hair Design salon.'

The beard-shaving duties fell to Elsie Baxter, and then friends and family took turns to rip off the waxing strips – including teammate Greg Crane. Kim Bennett finished the job helped by Kerri Rose and Rebecca Kent.

Ms Bennett said: 'Chris was such a good sport, and the support and money we received was amazing.'