HE USED to collect every 50 pence piece that came his way and put it aside to donate to charity.

Inspired by the story of a young woman he knew in Wales, Pat King, now 74 and living in Brighton, decided to save the coins in 2014 for Brighton-based domestic abuse charity Rise.

She approached him one day and told him she had just been raped.

He instinctively took her to a Women’s Aid refuge and stayed while she was being interviewed.

After moving to Hove, Pat wanted to do his bit for charity and saved a total of £630 for domestic abuse charity Rise in the space of a year.

Pat said: “One evening in my local pub the Sussex Cricketer in Hove, the barmaid, who knew what I was doing, gave me my change from a £10 note all in 50 pence coins.

“Now that I’m living in purpose-built pensioners’ flats in Brighton, I have less money available, so I decided to have my head shaved to raise sponsorship.”

He has so far raised £120 in sponsorship money from friends and family.

Alex Allison, community fundraiser for Rise, said: “It is great when people in the community get involved with us like this.

“It’s important for more people to talk about domestic abuse because it is everyone’s business and silence kills.”

Pat has been growing his hair and sideburns out for the last few months and then went to Big Papas Barbershop in Ditchling Road in Brighton to go under the clipper.

Pat, who had a good head of hair, said: “At 74 I am finally going bald.”

After the deed was done, owner Leeroy Thompson, who opened the barbershop in November last year, said: “When you go outside you will feel the cold air now.

“That will be the moment it hits you.”

Alex added: “If someone you know is suffering domestic abuse, stay in touch with them but don’t tell them to leave their relationship.

“The two years after someone leaves an abusive relationship is the period when they are most at risk of homicide.

“You don’t need to give advice, all you need to do is contact Rise, as we offer help at crisis point with emergency housing through to recovery with services like counselling and support groups.”

Rise has the only local helpline for domestic abuse victims in the country.

To donate to Rise, go to riseuk.org.uk/donate.