Shoreham boy, 6, to shave head for charity after interaction with homeless man

Last winter, Ben Witten came across a man begging in Shoreham High Street while out on a walk with his family.

Wanting to understand why the man was sitting in the cold, the Buckingham Park Primary School pupil sat alongside him to talk.

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Ben’s father Neil said his son was “shocked” to learn the man did not have a home.

“Later that day, Ben went back down to the High Street to give the man a Christmas card, some money and a jumper to keep warm over the winter,” he said.

“Then a few months later he saw someone shaving their hair off on TV for charity.”

Ben Witten, 6, from Shoreham

Neil, of The Drive in Shoreham, said Ben kept saying he had “plenty of hair” and wanted to shave it off to raise money for homeless people like the man he had met in the street.

“After a few months, we realised he was serious and so are supporting him to have his head shaved for charity,” said Neil.

The youngster is due to have all his hair shaved off at East Street Barbers in Shoreham at 5pm on December 10.

All the money raised will be donated to Shelter, the charity dedicated to ending homelessness.

Ben said: “My head is going to be very cold. Please sponsor me and help me to help more people without a home this Christmas.”

Ben Witten, 6, from Shoreham

Neil said his son’s school friends, his mother Emma and brother Sam will be supporting him on the night – an event they are calling Light Up Shoreham.

Ben hopes to raise £500 for Shelter through his JustGiving page.

His friends will also be collecting donations outside the barbers from 4.30pm onwards.