A filmmaker who hadn’t visited a barber’s in 12 years said goodbye to his flowing ponytail and unkempt beard to raise funds for charity in honour of his dad.

Mersea island resident Andy Merz, 51, braved the shave - and chop - to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society, who have help him since he became a carer for dad Werner Metz, 92.

The whole event was filmed by Mr Metz’s friends and colleagues at a meeting of Colchester Film Makers Club, who also chipped in to help him collect £175 for the charity.

Andy said: “I have had long hair since I was 12 so it is quite a change.

“My hair was down to the bottom of my back and it was like that for a long time. I haven’t had a trim or been to the barber since 2006.

“I feel a bit light-headed now but I don’t really notice until it is windy.”

Since Werner was diagnosed around five-year-ago, Andy says the support of the Alzheimer’s Society has been an absolute lifeline as he has adjusted to being a carer.

Andy said: “As a carer you are relying on your own judgement and senses most of the time, but having the back up from the nurses is great.

“Going to see them and checking whether I am doing things right has helped me a great deal.”

Andy, who is also a renowned photographer, says his dad’s diagnosis changed both of their lives forever.

“I always say Alzheimer’s is not just about forgetfulness,” he said.

“People associate it with the lack of memory but it effects the entire person.

“My dad was an engineer and now he cannot work out the way to heat up a cold yoghurt from the fridge before he eats it.

“Alzheimer’s confuses and changes the person’s life and those around them.”

Colchester Film Makers Club streamed Andy’s day in the hairdressers live on the group’s Facebook page as part of a documentary project on Tuesday evening.

Visit www.cfmclub.org.uk.

Andy added: “The film club love a challenge and putting together a documentary of the event live was great.

“We couldn’t do any retakes, when the hair was gone it was gone.”