A WIDNES cabbie teamed up with barmaids at his local boozer to raise more than £700 for stricken young patients at Liverpool's Alder Hey Children's Hospital.
Robbie Lenden grew his hair and beard for a year as punters in the Appleton Arms challenged him not to shave or have his hair cut for twelve months.
Landlord Ste O'Neill, who backed the cabbie to pull off the challenge, said: 'Robbie had been growing his beard and hair for months. He got a bit of stick for it from other regulars in the pub, but he really pulled out all the stops to keep it going.
'Robbie and the staff have been collecting all their tips for over a year and have been putting them in a huge bottle.
'Robbie took on the role of Santa Claus at Christmas. He joined some of the barmaids who dressed up as fairies, to raise extra money for the cause and we are all proud of their efforts.'
Robbie has had to endure weeks of ribbing from customers in his cab and some have even demanded that the operators 'not to send the scruffy cabbie'.
Robbie is now hoping the customers will know the real reason behind his appearance.
He said: 'I'm planning to do the same this Christmas for charity - so hopefully I'll my customers will now know why I'm growing my beard and hair!'
