A BURNHAM-ON-SEA optician and his entire family went for the chop and raised more than £1,000 for charity.

Rama Venkat, store director and optometrist at Specsavers on High Street, and his family had their heads shaved and hair cut on September 22 to raise money for the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB).

The fundraising effort was a family affair: Rama had his whole head shaved, his wife, Sai and daughter, Thrinayani, had seven inches of their hair cut off and his 13-year-old son, Thrilokesh, had RNIB shaved into the side of his head during National Eye Health Week.

"We’ve been fundraising for RNIB for quite a few months now but to surpass our original target of £500 and to have raised more than £1,000, is just fantastic," Rama said.

Two Burnham hairdressers, Hair of the Dog and Bos Hair and Color Bar, came to the store to make the chop in front of an audience of customers, staff and RNIB representatives including their mascot, Sooty.

Rama said the family organised the event to raise awareness of the work the RNIB does as well as highlighting the importance of caring for your eyes.

"Even if you think there’s nothing wrong with your vision, a sight test is an important health check and can pick up a variety of conditions, including glaucoma and diabetes, so I’d encourage people to make sure they are visiting an optician every two years," Rama said.

The store director said the event was a success with customers taking part in a range of fundraising activities and said they were generous with their donations.

"Sia and Thrinayani's hair will be donated to the Little Princess Trust, who make real hair wigs for children suffering from cancer and other illnesses which is wonderful.

"On behalf of everyone, I’d like to say a huge thank you for the donations and I know the RNIB will be very grateful to receive the money."