Hair today, gone tomorrow sees £2,000 raised for charity

Oban volunteer coastguard Iain Mackinnon, who has gone clean-shaven for the first time in more than three decades, has raised more than £2,000 in memory of a colleague.

Iain raised £2,004 for Cancer Research UK remembering his pal Ali MacNab, who was a trusted, respected and dedicated member of the Oban team and sadly died from cancer in 2016, aged 48.

Iain started his beard-growing challenge from a short trim in October and just before he had it shaved off in March at Trinity Hairdressing and Beauty on Oban High Street, the longest hair measured four inches.

On his JustGiving page, Iain said he has had facial hair of various sizes, shapes and form for more than 35 years - in fact, many people will have never seen him clean shaven.

‘I hardly recognised myself,’ he said. ‘It’s the first time I’ve been clean shaven in about 35 years. I’m hoping someone will knit me a balaclava to keep my face warm.

‘I am bowled over by the generosity of folks and am exceedingly grateful to everyone who donated. Trinity Hairdressing and Beauty did the shave free of charge and made a donation to the cause.’

Oban Coastguard Rescue Team volunteers have raised money over several years for cancer