A CLOSE shave at The Hair Chair, in Haslemere, last Friday, looks set to raise £2,500 for the liver intensive therapy unit at King’s College Hospital.

Midhurst chartered surveyor Iain Skinner went under the razor in a ‘Great British Beard-Off’, in memory of a close family friend, Katie Bayley, who died of a rare illness, aged 18, in June 2016. Her parents Jared and Michelle Bayley, launched an extensive fundraising campaign in aid of the King’s College Hospital unit after she died from a complex and rare disease that caused her organs to shut down over a period of 10 days.

Iain’s beard was expertly shaved off by Haslemere’s Headcase proprietor Mandie Coombes, who is temporarily in residence at The Hair Chair, while her former premises undergoes major repairs following last year’s fire.

She hopes to reopen by April 1, which would have been Katie’s 19th birthday.

Katie’s grandparents met in Haslemere and her father was born in Haslemere Cottage Hospital.

Her father and mother drove up from Wiltshire to support Iain, together with many of his friends and family.

Iain Said: “In memory of Katie, fundraising for King’s College Hospital is one way we can join together to do something practical to express our love and hope that it will help others like Katie in the future. Katie’s Great British Beard Off is just one way I can contribute.”

You can still make a donation at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=IainSkinner