VIDEO: Hair-raising challenge for Wirral scaffolder

A WIRRAL scaffolder is preparing to take part in a hair-raising charity campaign to raise money and awareness for the charity that has helped his little brother.

Bromborough schoolboy Patrick Rooney has lived life to the full despite suffering with arthrogryposis since he was born.

The rare condition, which causes multiple joint contractures and means Paddy is unable to stand or walk, has left the plucky 10-year-old in need of regular physiotherapy and hydrotherapy sessions to keep his joint supple.

Each year, the Rooney family takes part in the Wirral Coastal Walk to say thank you to The Arthrogryposis Group (TAG), the charity that helps support families like theirs who are affected by the condition.

And big brother, 29-year-old Peter O’Keefe, hopes to say his own special “thank you” to the charity, by raising as much money as possible for them through a year-long hair growth campaign.

Peter, who shaved his head and beard to mark the start of the fundraiser on February 1, told the Globe: “I’m going to grow it all for a year to raise as much as possible for TAG.

The scaffolder said that although he doesn’t have an exact target in mind, he would love to raise more than £10,000.

“We’ve set up a Facebook page – Peter O’Keefes Yeti Look (Charity) and I’m going to put pictures up on it every two or three weeks of how the hair growth is going.

“I’m dreading seeing what it is going to be like after a year but it will be worth it.”