As one of Lowestoft Town's leading players, Chris Henderson has endured countless hair-raising moments in recent seasons.

Eastern Daily Press: OUCH!: Lowestoft Town striker Chris Henderson grimaces as Kim Bennett waxes his legs, stomach and chest as part of his charity effort . Inset: how he looked before the event - complete with beard. Pictures: MICK HOWES.OUCH!: Lowestoft Town striker Chris Henderson grimaces as Kim Bennett waxes his legs, stomach and chest as part of his charity effort . Inset: how he looked before the event - complete with beard. Pictures: MICK HOWES. (Image: Archant)

But after receiving some stick from faithful Blues supporters in the close season, the striker recently faced an altogether different kind of close shave – all for charity.

With some of the Trawler Boys fans having taunted Henderson over the beard that he had been sporting since the start of the new campaign, the team's popular striker agreed to have it shaved off – and his legs, chest and stomach waxed – for a special cause,

And after the Blues' 3-0 home win over Leiston on bank holiday Monday last week, Henderson took to the physio's chair for a different kind of treatment as he endured some hair-raising pain.

But his efforts helped to raise 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 some stick about the beard he had grown in the close season, he agreed to have it shaved off while also undergoing the leg, chest and stomach waxing in return for sponsorship.

The former Gorleston, Kirkley & Pakefield and Bury Town striker, who has hit three goals in six Ryman Premier League games already this season, said the shave was a testament to his uncle Phil and it would raise funds to help continue research into cancer.

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 the day,' 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: 'It all started really when we gave Chris some stick about shaving his beard off and he agreed to do it for charity.

'The day itself was a fantastic day – it was really good fun. Chris was such a good sport and the support and money we received was amazing.'