A real-life Rapunzel has had her hair cut for the first time in 23 years – swapping her luscious locks for a shaved head for charity.

East Anglian Daily Times: The first snip removed Ruth's long ponytail that will be used to make wigs for children with cancer. Picture: PETE INMANThe first snip removed Ruth's long ponytail that will be used to make wigs for children with cancer. Picture: PETE INMAN (Image: PETE INMAN)

Mother-of-three Ruth Clark, whose hair has been with her longer than her eldest son Eddy, did the “unthinkable” and had all 22 inches chopped off to help her scout group build a new hut.

“It was horrible,” she said.

“I was not happy and I was really nervous beforehand, especially with it being done in front of all those people.

“The lady that did it said that she didn’t want to cut such long hair. I was going to get it cut just before I had my first son and once he was born I just never got round to it. He’s 23 now.”

East Anglian Daily Times: The first cut was auctioned off to the highest bidder. One of Ruth's friends won and celebrated the first cut by holding the hair abouve her head. Picture: PETE INMANThe first cut was auctioned off to the highest bidder. One of Ruth's friends won and celebrated the first cut by holding the hair abouve her head. Picture: PETE INMAN (Image: PETE INMAN)

The cub scout leader, of the 1st Brantham Scout & Guide Group, aimed to raise £3,000 to put towards a new headquarters but after the event on October 5.

She has since smashed that total, collecting more than £5,000.

Mrs Clark said: “We desperately need a new scout and guide hut, the one we have at the moment is showing its age and falling apart.

“I think it was built as temporary accommodation in the 1940s and has stayed that way ever since. It has a leaky roof, it’s poorly insulated and doesn’t have enough space.

“It’s part of our 80th anniversary celebrations this year to try and give it a bit of a new lease of life if you like.

She added: “The £3,000 target was only a small part of the money we need in total, which is around £300,000, but together with the other fundraising efforts we’re making I’m hoping it will make some sort of a difference.”

The 51-year-old’s hair will also be donated to the Little Princess Trust who will use it to provide a real wig to a young person who has lost their hair due to cancer.

“My husband likes it because it is the same length as his now but I think I am going to grow it out again,” she said.

East Anglian Daily Times: Ruth Clark hasn't had a haircut in 23 years and is braving the shave in a few months' time to raise money for a new scout hut Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNRuth Clark hasn't had a haircut in 23 years and is braving the shave in a few months' time to raise money for a new scout hut Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

“A lot of people have said that I really rock this look.”

Ruth, who is also mother to Ben, 21, and Alice, 18, has set up a Facebook page to help her fundraising efforts.

Make a donation to the cause via Wonderful.orgThrowback to 1995 – What happened in the year Ruth had a haircut?

Ruth last cut her hair in 1995, a busy year for the UK. Here’s a roundup of some key events:

East Anglian Daily Times: Ruth looked scared as the first cuts were made. Picture: PETE INMANRuth looked scared as the first cuts were made. Picture: PETE INMAN (Image: PETE INMAN)

• John Major, Conservative Prime Minister, face a leadership challenge and despite winning, saw his narrow majoring cut by defections and by-election losses.

• Blackburn Rovers won their first Premier League title.

They last won the top division in 1914, 81 years earlier.

• Frank Bruno won the WBC heavyweight championship with a unanimous decision against American Oliver McCall.

East Anglian Daily Times: Ruth was nervous before the chop but was determined to raise money for her scout group. Picture: PETE INMANRuth was nervous before the chop but was determined to raise money for her scout group. Picture: PETE INMAN (Image: PETE INMAN)

He would retire the following year after losing in dramatic fashion to Mike Tyson in Nevada.

• The 17th Bond film, GoldenEye, was released with Pierce Brosnan taking the role of 007 six years after the previous film.

• The original Playstation became the highest selling video game of all time, a year after it’s release.

• Cliff Richard was knighted at Buckingham Palace becoming the first rock star to receive the prestigious award.

East Anglian Daily Times: Hairdresser Helen Stockton used a razor to give Ruth a buzz cut. Picture: PETE INMANHairdresser Helen Stockton used a razor to give Ruth a buzz cut. Picture: PETE INMAN (Image: PETE INMAN)

• Oasis headlined Glastonbury Festival for the first time wowing crowds with their Brit pop performance.

East Anglian Daily Times: The event was shown live on Facebook where onlookers could watch Ruth's haircut. Picture: PETE INMANThe event was shown live on Facebook where onlookers could watch Ruth's haircut. Picture: PETE INMAN (Image: PETE INMAN)

East Anglian Daily Times: Ruth celebrates after the event, supporitng her new look. Picture: PETE INMANRuth celebrates after the event, supporitng her new look. Picture: PETE INMAN (Image: PETE INMAN)

East Anglian Daily Times: Ruth's 22 inch hair will be donated to charity. Picture: PETE INMANRuth's 22 inch hair will be donated to charity. Picture: PETE INMAN (Image: PETE INMAN)

East Anglian Daily Times: Ruth poses with hair dresser Helen Stockton after the chop. Picture: PETE INMANRuth poses with hair dresser Helen Stockton after the chop. Picture: PETE INMAN (Image: PETE INMAN)