THE friend of a man whose family village in Nepal was destroyed during the devastating earthquake has shaved his beard off after 14 years to raise cash to help rebuild the stricken village.

Dan Shewell, a friend of Nepalese father Gumbo Tamang, saved off his beard to help his friend raise funds to rebuild his home village in Nepal following April's earthquake which claimed more than 8,000 lives and injured many homes.

Mr Tamang of Grangers Lane, Redditch, who said he was heartbroken after his family home was destroyed by the quake, is glad of the support of friends and coleagues as he made it his mission to rebuild his home village of Thulo Bharku in the Langtang National Park in Rasuwa district to the north west of Kathmandu, near the Tibetan border.

The village of around 150 homes is a one and a half hour walk from the nearest town which has also been destroyed by the 7.8 magnitude earthquake.

Mr Tamang, a 29-year-old father of one, who works as a catering assistant at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch was born and brought up in the village and his parents, dad Karpude and mum Rittu, still live there with his sister-in-law and her two children.

His brother and sister were both in Kathmandu at the time but are both safe.

His sister-in-law had to flee the house with her children, a boy aged 11 and a girl aged just 14 months, as it collapsed around them.

Mr Tamang said of the sponsored shave: "He has not completely shaved for 14 years and today (May 24) he removed his hair for raising cash towards my family fund. He has already raised an amazing £400 so far.

"I just would like to thank you Dan for doing such a amazing work for helping me in this journey."

A fundraiser at the Mount Everest restaurant in Alcester Road, Studley, brought in more than 120 people to the venue.

Bisnu Paudel, his wife Manisha Paudel and Pardep Paudel and his wife Bhima Paudel would like to thank all those came and support the fundraising.

The event raised £3,200. They also wished to thank Sharon Harvey from Flair With Flowers in Alcester Road, Studley and local women Karin Heslop of New Road, Studley who helped organise the event and raffle. Of the money raised £500 will go to Mr Tamang's fund and the rest of money will go to directly to the earthquake victims of Nepal.

To support Mr Tamang visit www.gofundme.com/Thulo_bharku