Pompey fan Oliver grows his hair like '˜hero' Christian Burgess then shaves it all off to help ill children

But for Pompey-mad Oliver Parkhurst-Fisher, the decision to channel his favourite player went beyond the pitch. 

The 10-year-old spent almost two years growing his hair to look like one of his Fratton Park heroes, Portsmouth centre-back Christian Burgess.

However after growing 30cm-long locks, he decided to get it all cut off to be turned into wigs for children affected by cancer. 

'˜Christian is a really kind and considerate man and I have met him a number of times before,' the youngster said. '˜One of my friends at my old school had leukaemia and they lost their hair and got bullied for it. 

'˜So I have done this for people like that '“ who have to go through chemotherapy '“ to make them happy.' 

It comes two years after his grandmother Judy, from Portsmouth, died from cancer in her 70s. The youngster, who lives in Copnor, said he '˜did it for her' and that she would be '˜very proud because she lost her hair as well'. 

Oliver's mother, Sally Parkhurst, watched on as her boy braved the shave at Scott's Barbers in Copnor Road earlier this week. The 45-year-old said: '˜I am extremely proud of what he has done.

'˜You cannot put a price on it '“ to give another child a smile and being able to say that you were the cause of it.'

She added: '˜Christian is one of his absolute favourites. 

'˜He is a very hands-on guy with the club and we are both Pompey season ticket-holders. We go to every home game.' 

The Copnor Primary School pupil, who has also raised more than £150 in sponsorship for the cause, will now donate his hair to the Little Princess Trust, which provides wigs for children who have lost hair to cancer and other serious illnesses. 

After hearing about the youngster's brave gesture, a spokesperson for Portsmouth Club said: '˜Everyone at the club '“ including Christian '“ is incredibly impressed with Oliver's efforts.

'˜He showed plenty of commitment to grow his hair so long and to shave it all off for such a worthy cause is a selfless act that deserves plenty of praise. Well done, Oliver '“ hopefully your head isn't too cold now!'