Giuseppe di Tano is shaving off his hair for Cancer Research – and has already raised more than £4,000.

The Italian plumber, a parishioner at St Peter’s Italian Church in Clerkenwell Road, shaved off his hair four years ago, raising thousands for Great Ormond Street Hospital.

The 57-year-old said the key to growing a thick head of hair was raw eggs. “I eat an egg every day, straight down, that’s my secret,” said Mr di Tano. “People love the hair – they call me Papa Noel, Father Christmas. I was just arguing with a van driver and he said – ‘ok, ok, Papa Noel’.”

Originally from Rome, he has lived in London for 36 years. He creates hundreds of ornate boiled eggs featuring religious scenes for the church for Easter.

He will cut off his hair in the church restaurant in November.

• Keywords
  PLUMBERS, CANCER, CHARITY
• Geographical keyword
  CLERKENWELL
• Persons keyword
  Guiseppe Di Tano, Great Ormond Street Hospital