Keighley Rotarian and author Maurice Baren had a close shave on Monday and he was delighted.

He shed his facial and head hair to raise cash for charity. The sponsored effort coined in around £3,350 to be split between NCH and Rotary cause The Nepal Trust.

Maurice, 65, from Haworth, endured his hair erasing experience during a Rotary Burns Night celebration at Keighley Rugby Union Club.

He said: "I have had a couple of fundraising beard shaves before -- the last one about ten years ago -- but this was the first time I had gone for the 'full Monty' and had my head shaved as well, although I did keep my eyebrows! Although clearly I look quite different, I don't really feel any different."

He added: "The small sacrifice on my part is nothing compared to being able to contribute something to help disadvantaged or vulnerable people in this country and in the farthest parts of the world."

The Nepal Trust's share of the sponsorship money will provide a teacher for a year, and possibly some software, at a school in the poverty-stricken country. And the NCH portion will boost the organisation's work in the UK finding families for vulnerable children available for adoption.

Maurice -- author of several "How it all Began" books -- is a long time supporter of the NCH.