A BARNET Football Club player is marking his 21st birthday this week by cutting the long locks he has sported for more than eight years in the name of charity.

Midfielder Sam Cox, of Colindale, turned 21 years old yesterday, and at 4pm today will mark the milestone with a hair cut in aid of Northwick Park Hospital's intensive care unit and North London Hospice.

"I'm very nervous. Definitely having second thoughts - I've been having second thoughts for weeks."

Sam's mother Gill Cox was struck with lung disease early this year and was quickly rushed to Northwick Park Hospital, where she was on life support for seven weeks.

It is the because of the life-saving treatment his mother received that Sam decided to make the change.

"They treated her so well. My mum's here today because of them."

"Turning 21, it is time for a change and these are two great causes."

Sam visited Barnet Football Club's chosen charity North London Hospice on his birthday yesterday and said that to see the difference his fundraising would make, made his hair loss seem trivial.

"That reassured me; the main thing is changing people's lives."

Sam's braided shoulder-length locks will be cut at 4pm this afternoon at a salon in Hyde Park, witnessed by family and friends.

So far, £750 has been raised for North London Hospice and about £800 has been raised for Northwick Park Hospital.

Donations can still be pledged at www.justgiving.com/Sam-Cox1