Teenager and friends from Torquay shave their heads to raise money for NHS staff during coronavirus pandemic

A 15-year-old boy from Torquay has, with the help of his mum, picked up the scissors and cut off all his hair to raise money for the NHS.

Tyler Urch, a pupil at Torquay Academy School, was inspired to help out after seeing news about healthcare workers struggling to get by during the coronavirus pandemic.

Videos of nurses unable to buy food after working long hours because of stockpiling, and hospital staff risking their lives for others without enough Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), propelled the teen to make a difference.

Tyler and his mum, Joanne, both live with the heart condition Long QT syndrome, meaning the NHS is something incredibly important to their family.

The condition is an inherited heart rhythm problem which causes the heart muscle to take longer to 'recharge' between each beat.

Tyler rounded up his friends - adhering to social distancing by chatting online - and together they shaved their heads to raise money.

So far they've raised £600, and donations are still coming in.

Joanne says she is 'incredibly proud' of her son - especially since, like most teenage boys, his hairstyle is not something he takes lightly.

Taking on challenges to raise money for others is not a new experience for the Urch family.

Joanne has trekked the Sahara Desert and walked the Great Wall of China to raise money for heart condition charity CRY.

The family plan to spend the money on a 'special treat' for frontline staff, and are hopeful that local businesses will get involved to show workers how grateful the community is for their efforts.