A ROTARIAN braved a cut-throat razor for charity when he had his head shaved for the second time in memory of his friend.

Former president of Newton Aycliffe Rotary Club, John Burrows, had his head, eyebrows and trademark beard shaved off as part of Macmillan Cancer Support’s ‘Brave the Shave’ campaign during a rotary club meeting.

Mr Burrows said he has only ever shaved his beard off twice in the last 47 years.

He said: “My friend died from cancer six or eight months ago, so I am doing it in his memory. He had a really tough time as did his family and I know that MacMillan were really good for them.”

Twelve years ago, Mr Burrows had his head shaved to raise funds for the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle to show his gratitude for the cancer treatment his great-nephew received.

Traditional Turkish barber, Emre Sahin, who has a barber shop in Newton Aycliffe, shaved Mr Burrows’ whiskers with a sharp cut-throat razor.

Mr Burrows added: “I have set myself a target of £500 and have so far raised about £300. The money is going to a really worthy charity and you don’t know when you might be affected by cancer and MacMillan are there for anybody at any time and that’s what it’s all about.”

At the end of the club meeting, Mr Burrows won a prize at the weekly raffle which was a tube of anti-dandruff shampoo.

Anyone wishing to support John in his fundraising effort can donate at bravetheshave.org.uk/Donate/John.