It took years to grow and minutes to disappear but bar tender Joe Bridgman has no regrets about ditching his beard for a good cause.
Even though they're 10,000 miles from home Joe, from New Zealand, and his Australian girlfriend Maddy O'Hara, were worried about family and friends caught up in the massive bushfires raging across Australia.
The couple, who have been working behind the bar of Cured, in Carrington Street, since last April, organised a charity event to help those affected by the on-going crisis.
Joe's employers promised £500 if he saved his beard off. That, a raffle and trivia night at the bar have raised £1,300 so far.
Maddy was spurred into action after learning that the family home of a school acquaintance had been destroyed by the flames.
In another incident a school friend and her fiancé became trapped in Narooma. Unable to evacuate, they ended up in a rescue centre. Meanwhile Maddy's cousin in Canberra has been unable to go out for long periods due to the air pollution.
Joe's brother in Melbourne was also on alert due to hazardous air pollution warnings because of the smoke.
The fund-raising night raised money for New South Wales Rural Fire Service for Volunteer Firefighters, Australian Red Cross Disaster Recovery & Relief and International Fund for Animal Wildlife's Australian Wildlife Appeal.
Joe, who had been growing his beard for more than four years, said: "We've been here for a year and a half and this is the first time I've realised how cold the UK can be, but I'm grateful for the support we have had and our ability to contribute to the relief back home."
