A STOURPORT teen and his supportive friends have raised thousands in a charity head shave for a noble cause.

James Barham, 18, braved a grade one haircut to raise funds for Kemp Hospice, his mother Emma's chosen charity who is currently battling severe and life-limiting cancer.

Much to James' surprise, a group of 13 of his close friends who previously attended The Stourport High School with him, decided to join in and brave the shave for charity.

The friends staged their 'big shave' at Ballantynes Hair Salon in Stourport on the October 31 before James got his buzz cut at The Black Star in Stourport on Friday November 2.

James originally set a target of just £50, and after donations came flooding in, he raised it to £250.

Now, he has raised an impressive total of £4,485, with his mates raising an additional £1,540.

The friends who took part are Charlie Foley, Cam Phillips, Will Holtby, Will Phillips, Ben Bambury, Brad Worton, Harvey Poolton Jones, Morg Gray, Elliot Sztybl, James Oakley, Byron Lye, Ari Maman and Ollie Davies.

James said: My mum Emma was diagnosed in November and is currently battling severe, life-limiting cancer herself in multiple areas including her brain, lungs and hip as well as other places.

"She is so strong and brilliant and I am one proud son to be able to call her my mum as she continues her fight with us as a family supporting her the entire way.

“Kemp is a brilliant charity, they have personally helped me through many situations.

“It’s also a charity close to home, and I want them to be able to have the staff and funding to help other people.”

James’ friend Cameron Phillips said: “After finding out our mate James would be shaving his head for Kemp Hospice and in support of his mom, my friends and I all decided we wanted to join him."

Charlie Foley said: "We have always been very close friendship group.

“We surprised James and said we were going to help him, so he didn’t have to go through it alone.”

James added: “The number of messages I have received is unbelievable, and the support from my mates has really moved me."

People can still donate to James' just giving page via https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/james-shaveitoff