AN IPSWICH dad is sporting a cool new look after taking a close shave for charity.Keith Starling took the plunge in front of a crowd of 50 people to raise funds for autistic twins Kate and Samuel Horsfield of Ipswich and All Hallows Church.

AN IPSWICH dad is sporting a cool new look after taking a close shave for charity.

Keith Starling took the plunge in front of a crowd of 50 people to raise funds for autistic twins Kate and Samuel Horsfield of Ipswich and All Hallows Church.

The dad of two's effort follows that of many Evening Star readers who completed a sponsored walk for the twin's last month in aid of their specialist education.

Keith, a self-employed architectural consultant, said: "I wasn't nervous. It was all a bit of a laugh really.

"It was not as if I was having my head cut off. It was all light hearted and everyone enjoyed it.

"Quite a lot of people have said the new look suits me. But it is growing back quite quickly."

After about 40 years sporting the same hairstyle the head shave has now prompted him to think of changing his look.

"I will grow to a certain extent," he said. "But I haven't had my hair this short since I was a child."

The twins' mother, Samantha, brought along her daughter, Kate, to the occasion. The three-year-old was dancing in the church hall on Landseer Road while the action was taking place.

"Kate was in really good spirits," said Keith, of Platters Close. "It was amazing really because this was something that Kate doesn't do dancing off her own back. It was good to see her do that."

Meanwhile 47-year-old Keith is confident that he will reach his £500 target, especially after friends and family rallied round to help him collect sponsorship.

Keith thanked all those who contributed. He knows the twins' mother through Landseer Players and Ipswich Operatics Society and their plight struck a chord with him.