A north-east firefighter has turned lockdown into “rockdown” by debuting an eye-catching new look in the name of charity.
Watch commander Kevin Smith, who is based at Banff Community Fire Station, is a massive heavy metal fan.
As a joke between friends, he recently took the opportunity to grow an “outrageous” mohawk, which he has now dyed gold.
When one colleague offered him £30 to keep it all week, he realised he might have found a way to raise money for a charity close to his heart.
Now he has already amassed more than £1,000 for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Family Support Trust.
Mr Smith said: “I work within training for the service so, during lockdown, I am regularly moving between stations locally as part of essential business.
“Every time I walk into another one, the crews all look at me for a second before bursting out laughing.
“It was just supposed to be a big joke for friends and family at first, giving everyone something to laugh about – but it’s already become so much more than that.
“I can’t thank everyone who has donated already enough, it’s humbled me greatly and I’m just glad it can give someone a smile and raise some money for a good cause.”
To donate to Mr Smith’s fundraiser, people should search for Kevin’s Mohawk lockdown on JustGiving.com.
Mr Smith, who has been with the service for more than 27 years, is a huge fan of rock music.
He lists Guns N’ Roses, Motley Crue and Linkin Park among his top five favourite bands – and it is a love he shares with his three sons.
The fireman said: “My boys all love rock music as much as I do, which is fantastic.
“My wife – not so much. And you can hear her groan every time I’m screaming out some Linkin Park in the car.”
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Family Support Trust, established 1923, provides support to current and retired firefighters when they need it most.
