Robbie Drew raised more than £1,100 for Mardon Neurological Centre

A Sidbury father-of-two is preparing to shave off a beard he has been growing for five months to net funds for the unit that is helping his wheelchair-bound daughter walk again.

Robbie Drew, 52, of Fore Street, has raised more than £1,100 for Mardon Neurological Centre in Exeter, where his youngest child Zoe is undergoing intensive rehabilitation treatment.

He will shave off his beard in front of friends and family in The Rising Sun pub on Sunday.

Zoe, 22, suffered a life-changing illness in 2014 which resulted in her being wheelchair-bound and unable to bend her knees.

Robbie, who works as a butcher at Drews of Sidbury, said: “It took a long time to get her into Mardon House. I wanted to do something for the staff for what they are doing for her. The NHS is always short of funding, so I thought let’s do something. I had never grown a beard before.

“I thought £500 was a good total - but it’s gone and doubled.”

Zoe returned to Bournemouth University following her illness and is studying for a degree in sports science.

Robbie added: “She really works hard and nothing is going to stop her. Zoe’s admission to the centre has already shown dividends in the few months she has been there - with the physiotherapists managing to bend her knees for the first time in over two years.

“The rest of our family and friends are hoping that, when discharged, Zoe will be mobile and back on her feet once more.

“That’s what we are hoping, but we are taking one step at a time.”

Collection tins for Robbie’s cause are stationed in Drews of Sidbury and The Rising Sun.