Brave it! Shave it! An Exmouth councillor has braved the winter chill and shaved his head raising hundreds of pounds for the RD&E.

Cllr Joe Whibley, who represents Exmouth Town at East Devon District Council, has raised £665 so far and needs the community's help to reach his £750 target.

Cllr Whibley had originally planned his charity head shave, in aid of the Royal Devon and Exeter Charity, to take place on November 14.

But after hearing about the looming lockdown, he decided to chop his locks early on Saturday, October 31.

Speaking to Nub News, the Independent councillor said he heard about the hospital's 'Brave it, Shave it' campaign and decided he wanted to get on board.

He added: "It isn't something I've done before and thought it would be something fun and for a good cause.

"My original target was £250 and I have moved it to £750, people have been so generous.

"The support I have gotten has blown me away.

"My only regret is that I chose the wrong time to do it - in the winter."

When asked what it felt like to have a shaved head, he said: "It feels very strange, I work in a school and the children found it very bizarre.

"It isn't a sensation I have experience before."

The RD&E Charity is committed to providing all the extra touches and support for users, relatives and staff of the hospital - creating an environment and atmosphere that's as homely as it is clinically excellent.

One example is their campaign to create a warm, bright and engaging space for children, young people and their families at the main acute hospital - important for those who find themselves there for long periods of time.

Speaking on his Virgin Money Giving page, Cllr Whibley said: "It saddens me that I feel the need to do this - raising money for things the NHS and Government, I think, should pay for anyway.

"But we are where we are. If we don't help out nobody else will.

"So I decided to shave my head. I like my hair, so this is no small matter. To be honest, I'm worried when it grows back it'll have turned grey.

"Give a little bit if you can. I know it's tricky right now but given how we are going to rely more and more on our hospitals and their wonderful staff over the coming months, let's help make RD&E a lovely place."

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