KRIMO Bouabda is well versed when it comes to chopping and cutting – but not his hair.

And now the former Hartlepool restaurateur has raised over £1,000 in just 24 hours after cutting off his hair for charity, with all money donated the Alice House Hospice in Hartlepool.

He’s hoping others follow suit and help raise much-needed funds for charities while they go through testing times.

“Maybe more men could do this and maybe raise money for their own charities – I thought ‘Shave the NHS’ could be a slogan, but that was after I’d chosen Alice House Hospice,’’ he said.

Krimo is well known in and around Hartlepool after owning three restaurants before retiring, with Krimo’s regarded as one of the North-East’s finest in its heyday.

While the country is in lockdown and shops, pubs and hairdressers and barbers closed for the future, Krimo put his cutting skills to use again.

“A daft idea, out of the blue has ended up raising over £1000 in less than 24 hours,’’ he smiled. “On Wednesday evening, I came to the realization that I may not be able to get a haircut for the foreseeable future.

“I had been flicking through old pictures on my phone, I came across one where I had photoshopped myself with a bald head like Errol Brown of Hot Chocolate. By the time we come out of this lockdown, my hair would grow again so the decision was made and I shaved my head!

“I looked and felt strange and when I opened the fridge, my head went cold.’’

He added: “On Thursday morning, I thought about sticking a photo on Facebook, then I remembered sponsored haircuts.

“Too late for me, but if I organised a fundraiser just for a laugh then it could be worthwhile for a local charity. The same morning I had received a letter from the hospice asking for donations as the funds were running dry due to the coronavirus.

“From £5 to £200 donations, to reach the target of £1000 in less than 24 hours is fantastic. I am so humbled by people response to my plea to help such a worthwhile cause. This really proves that people care for our local charities.’’

To donate to the cause visit www.facebook.com/donate/356428085291190