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Former Royal Navy sailor, 87, loses years but raises hundreds for Macmillan

With not a wrinkle in sight, old sailor Richard Keeling is looking shipshape after his first shave for 40 years.

Not just that, the 87-year-old Rochester man went the whole hog had whipped off his barnet too! It was all for a good cause to raise money for Macmillan in memory of his beloved late wife.

He met Betty through a through a mutual friend and they were married for 52 years before she died of cancer in 2005.

Richard Keeling before his charity shave in memory of his late wife
Richard Keeling before his charity shave in memory of his late wife

Mr Keeling said: “I’ve got a couple of relatives, friends and acquaintances who have cancer, or are recovering from cancer, so they are beneficiaries of Macmillan services. Betty died of cancer at the Wisdom Hospice.”

The charity supports cancer sufferers and their families.

Although money is still coming in, Mr Keeling thinks he has raised around £1,000.

After he braved the shave, he said: “It went very well. I look a bit different, but it looks as though we have raised £1,000.

Richard Keeling looks years younger after his shave
Richard Keeling looks years younger after his shave

“Some ladies who have their hair cut off are proud as punch to raise £300 or £400, I’m over the moon! I might have set a record!

“I’m a bit chilly so I’ve got a woolly hat.”

He had the chop at the Eagle Tavern in Rochester High Street, courtesy of Costa from Hair Style Avenue in Rochester.

To donate visit his fundraising page.

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