'Buzz against bombs' - teenage boys lose long locks for Ukraine aid

The idea came from 14-year-old Louie Ayriss, who wanted to do something to help after seeing the horrific scenes in Ukraine unfolding on the news.

All smiles for the boys ahead of the big buzz cut (Image: Helen Ayriss)

Louie decided two weeks ago to set up a JustGiving page - unbeknownst to his mum, Helen - and encouraged some of his friends to join him in shaving their hair off to raise money.

Joining him were Jake Brown, Charlie Wallace, Will Stephen, Connor McGloughlin, Eduard Meger and Harvey Milliret.

Barbers at The Cutter did the boys' haircuts free of charge in support of Ukraine Charity (Image: Karen Newman)

The John Henry Newman pupil told the Comet: "It took me about a year to finally grow my hair into the style I wanted it to be.

"Seeing the news on the television or on my phone, along with an assembly at school, I quickly realised that the people I was surrounded by, my friends, were so affected by what was going on in Ukraine because they had family and friends that were either losing everything they had worked so hard for - or worse, their lives.

Louis' Buzz Against Bombs JustGiving page has raised more than £1,000 (Image: Karen Newman)

"I thought what could I personally do to help my friends and the children of Ukraine to try to make their lives easier and better."

The boys have raised more than £1,000 for Ukraine Charity (Image: Karen Newman)

Louie contacted The Cutter in Middle Row who offered to cut the boys' hair free of charge.

Teenage boys from Stevenage have taken on a new look to help children in Ukraine (Image: Karen Newman)

"Rob and his team cut mine and my friends hair, and did not charge us at all, as they were also supporting the charity," Louie continued.

"To date the JustGiving page has reached £1,050. I hope we can increase this amount and it helps the children that are now in a less fortunate position than me and my friends."

A group of teenage boys from Stevenage have had their heads shaved to raise money for Ukraine Charity (Image: Karen Newman)

Proud mum Helen added: "Often kids are getting slated for wrongdoings - it's nice to see a bunch of really nice, good lads doing something like this.

"The fact that they've thought 'I don't mind walking around looking like this', with this age group who are particular with how they look. They've all done it!

"We are all so proud of the kindness these young boys have shown to help out the less fortunate."

The Cutter offered to do the haircuts free of charge in support of the charity (Image: Karen Newman)

The money raised is going to Ukraine Charity, which supports underprivileged children in Ukraine.

To donate to the Buzz Against Bombs JustGiving page, go to justgiving.com/fundraising/louie-ayriss.

For more information on Ukraine Charity, go to www.ukrainecharity.org.