A COLCHESTER bride shaved her husband’s head during the speeches on their wedding day in a bid to raise awareness of Parkinson’s disease.

The couple, who raised more than £2,000 for Parkinson’s UK through the head shave, tied the knot without the groom’s dad, who was diagnosed with dementia in recent years.

Steve and Victoria Clarke desperately wanted Steve’s dad Derek to be at the wedding, but his deteriorating health kept him away.

Derek was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2000, with him raising thousands of pounds for Parkinson’s UK before he was moved into a care home.

To honour his dad on his wedding day, Steve’s sponsored shave happened mid-way through the wedding, with his wife shaving Steve's hair off during the speeches.

Victoria said: “We wanted to do something to honour Steve’s dad, Derek, and raise money in the process.

“My husband is very precious about his hair, as you will see from the earlier wedding photos.

“So I suggested the ultimate sacrifice would be to shave it off - on his wedding day.”

Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world, and currently there is no cure.

It affects around 145,000 people in the UK and every hour two more people are diagnosed.

There are more than 40 symptoms, from tremor and pain to anxiety.

Parkinson’s UK is the largest charitable funder of Parkinson’s research in Europe, leading the way to better treatments and a cure.

Kirsty Berrigan and Rebecca Landolt, heads of regional fundraising at Parkinson’s UK, said: “We are so grateful to Steve and Victoria for taking on this incredible challenge for Parkinson’s UK - on their wedding day.

“With more than 40 potential symptoms, Parkinson’s can devastate lives.

“We’ve made huge breakthroughs in the last 50 years, but there is still no cure and current treatments are not good enough.

“We hope this fundraising challenge inspires you to get involved with Parkinson’s UK.

“There are lots of ways for you to get involved and support us - from volunteering at an event, to campaigning for better services. Without the generosity of people like you, our work would not be possible."

To find out how to fundraise for Parkinson’s UK visit parkinsons.org.uk/fundraising.