Camp Simcha chief executive Neville Goldschneider is less hirsute —and his charity a little wealthier — after he shaved off his 12-week lockdown beard to raise funds.

Mr Goldschneider’s significant encounter with a razor was also intended to promote Camp Simcha’s campaign to encourage supporters to take sponsored challenges to recoup some of the income lost through cancelled events. “It felt like a fun way to show people that even when you cannot leave the house, there are ways you can help support charity,” he said.

“At the beginning, I didn’t mind having the beard. The team have been joking with me in Zoom meetings as I have taken to stroking my beard when I am thinking. But as the weather heated up and the beard got thicker, I have to admit I was counting the days until I could finally shave the monster off.”

He has raised more than £1,000 for Camp Simcha, which supports children with serious illness and their families.

Thanking those who donated, Mr Goldschneider added: “It’s good to be clean shaven again and my wife is pleased to have the old me back! I am also grateful to all those who have taken on lockdown challenges.”