THREE fearless fundraisers are losing their locks to commemorate the first anniversary of a tragic death.

Friends Matt Scott, Dan Griffin and Jon Hardy will shave their hair off to raise money for Epilepsy Action on August 18, one year since the body of their friend was found in Selby Dam.

Epilepsy sufferer Simon Longthorp, 24, of Rawcliffe, York, had undergone brain surgery in an attempt to help him cope with the disease a year before his death, but still suffered the occasional fit.

He had been out with friends in Barlby, but left the group to go home alone, and his body was found the next morning in the water of Selby Dam behind Sainsbury's, on Scott Road.

The friends had originally planned to celebrate Mr Longthorp's life with a party, but decided to change their plans and raise hundreds of pounds for the charity.

Mr Griffin, 25, of Acomb, said: "We are doing this on the anniversary of his death to turn a negative into a positive.

"Simon used to work with Matt in Boots on King's Square and I knew him through York College.

"It all started by suggesting we have a night out, but we wanted to do something to honour our friend.

"Our initial target was £250 but we have surpassed that now."

Mr Longthorp’s parents Beryl and Paul told their son's inquest he had suffered from epilepsy, and had undergone brain surgery in October 2012 to improve his condition.

The inquest in January heard the procedure had helped, but he was still known to suffer from occasional fits, which they said could explain his behaviour prior to his death.

The trio have amassed a huge £855 and are expecting the total to rise even further by the time they lose their hair at Gibson's Bar, in Micklegate, on Monday.

To sponsor the friends visit www.justgiving.com/Matt-Scott3 or text CYRIL67 and your donation to 70070.