Richard Chaney, before his date with the razor

A PUB landlord shaved off his bushy beard to raise funds for a hospice that cared for a friend and punter in his final days.

Richard Chaney, publican at the Coopers Arms in Kilburn High Road, was shorn of the facial hair that he spent more than a year growing on Saturday.

More than £2,200 was raised on the night, through donations and a raffle, which will go to St John’s Hospice in Grove End Road.

The landlord gets a new clean cut look

Mr Chaney said he wanted to do something to help the hospice, which had cared for his pal Ted Moran.

“I’ve had a few customers in there and a friend of mine died there last year,” Mr Chaney said. “He was a customer, but he was a good friend for a lot of years too.” He said it felt odd to be clean-shaven for the first time in all those months, but added that he was “getting used it”.

Donations can be made through the charity’s website by visiting goo.gl/F5dzNN