A COURAGEOUS 13-year-old from Poole is having her head shaved in a bid to raise money to combat the disease which claimed the life of her close friend.

Lauryn-Paige Dashwood is getting the radical grade one chop later this month to raise as much as she can for Meningitis UK in memory of Chloe Short, 13, who died from the disease on April 6.

The girls became firm friends at Canford Heath First and Middle schools, and stayed close after Chloe moved away before secondary school.

Lauryn-Paige told the Echo: “When I found out I didn’t really know what it was so I did some research and saw some clips of some children and that’s what really hit me. To think that one of my friends went through that. It made me want to help other people.”

She added: “I know this won’t bring her back but it will help prevent other babies and children from losing their lives. Hopefully I will raise a lot.”

Proud mum Mandy Dashwood said: “It’s upset her a lot – it’s the first person she’s ever lost and it’s difficult for her to deal with – but she is dealing with it amazingly.

“She wanted to do something for Chloe, and to raise money so other children don’t die.”

Big sister Samantha Dashwood, who will be giving Lauryn-Paige the haircut, said: “I’m so proud of her. She’s lovely. She is always putting others before herself.”

Lauryn-Paige is aiming for £300 in sponsorship which will go to Meningitis UK which funds pioneering research into vaccinations and prevention of the devastating disease, which claims six lives a week and can kill in less than four hours.

The charity head shave is in Poole Park on June 16.

Get behind her fundraising effort at www.justgiving.com /lauryn-paige-dashwood