A KIND-HEARTED vet has proven she is a real ‘life-shaver’ after having her head shaved outside the Dunbar RNLI shop.

Laura Punler’s ‘hairoics’ drew a crowd to the High Street as husband Malcolm cut off her long bunches and then shaved the rest of her locks.

The mum-of-two decided to help the town’s RNLI thanks to a family connection with the charity, which saves lives at sea.

Her father, Jim Watt, was treasurer for an RNLI branch in Stewarton, Ayrshire where, remarkably for a town not on the coast and with no lifeboat, he successfully fundraised for the charity for 25 years.

She said: “He had a friend with a boat and his friend set up an RNLI fundraising centre in Stewarton.

“My dad was treasurer and he got a commendation or certificate to acknowledge it.

“He gave that up in the early 1990s.

“The RNLI has always been in the background and I remember shaking the collection tin boats with the slots on the top of them when were collecting as kids.

“It has always been there.”

Laura Punler has said goodbye to her long hair to boost two charities. Picture: Nick Mailer

Laura Punler has said goodbye to her long hair to boost two charities. Picture: Nick Mailer

The head shave, which took place last Saturday (May 29), has raised more than £1,000 for Dunbar RNLI, with over £700 in donations on her JustGiving page and an incredible £154 from donations to the store during the cut, which was livestreamed on the Dunbar RNLI Facebook page.

Laura, who lives on the town’s Bowmont Terrace, said there was a real connection between the town and the team of volunteers, which helped when it came to her fundraising.

She said: “I have been astonished by the level of support.

“It’s amazing.

“Thank you to everyone who kindly donated, particularly my colleagues at Charles River Laboratories in Tranent who have been so supportive.”

It is not just the Dunbar RNLI who are benefiting from the kind-hearted gesture.

Laura Punler has said goodbye to her long hair to boost two charities. Picture: Nick Mailer

Laura Punler has said goodbye to her long hair to boost two charities. Picture: Nick Mailer

Fifty-four-year-old Laura’s hair – along with the locks of 13-year-old daughter Maggie – will be donated to the Little Princess Trust, which provides wigs to children and young adults who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment and other conditions.

Veronica Davies, chairperson of Dunbar RNLI’s fundraising committee, thanked Laura for her fundraising efforts.

She said: “Sincere thanks to Laura for having her head shaved to raise much needed funds for Dunbar RNLI.

“Her efforts have raised a massive £1,100 which is an amazing amount and is truly appreciated by everyone at Dunbar Lifeboat Station.

“This money will go a long way towards kitting out a new crew member.”

To support Laura, go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/laura-punler2