The event was organised by the regiment, based in Larkhill, Wiltshire, and the Hair, Holistic and Beauty Therapy department at Basingstoke College of Technology. 23 trainee barbers and hairdressers studying for their NVQ Level 2 or B Tech National qualifications clipped, cut, styled and shaved the soldiers' hair for a £5 contribution to the charity.

Sergeant Major Darren Auty, one of the organisers, said:

"The mother of one of the girls on the course works in the camp with us and she suggested it would be a good idea. We do a lot for 'Help for Heroes' especially as one of our ex Warrant Officers, WO2 Andy Stockton, lost one of his arms in Afghanistan a couple of years ago."

32 Regiment is the British Army's only tactical unmanned air vehicle regiment and a number of the gunners from 18 (Quebec) Battery having their hair cut were in their desert combats ready to depart for Iraq or Afghanistan next week.

Gunner Ben Spragg, aged 19, will be deploying to Afghanistan on Tuesday 15 January 2007 for six months with a smart new haircut:

"It's my first operational tour, and I'm a bit nervous," he said, "although I'm looking forward to the responsibility of being second in command of the Motor Transport Section for the Battery. Help for Heroes is a really worthwhile charity and I'm happy to give some money towards it �?and I get a good haircut as well."

Help for Heroes is a new charity that has been formed to help servicemen and women who have been wounded in Afghanistan and Iraq. It is presently working towards raising £5 million to construct a swimming pool complex at Headley Court, the Defence medical Rehabilitation Centre.