KIND-HEARTED pupils marked the end of their time at school as they braved the shave in honour of a man with a rare disease.

Tom Cozens, Adam Jones, Terence Fane and Zain Bokhari shaved their hair for charity in support of Tom’s 23-year-old brother Harry who struggles to walk, speak and even eat and drink independently as a result of mitochondrial disease.

The group had originally planned to do it after their GCSE exams but instead did it on Monday on Instagram live.

Harry’s mum, Amanda Norris, said: “I’m so proud of them all. They’d originally planned to do it after their GCSEs because they weren’t allowed to have a shaved head in school, but given the circumstances they had to finish early.

“They’ve all seen Harry’s struggles and wanted to do something to help, so decided to instead do it at the same time on Instagram live alone from their houses.

“They’ve raised about £1,000 so far for the charity, who have massively supported our family through everything. We hope that one day they will find a cure.”

Tom and his friends, from Westcliff High School for Boys and St Thomas More High School, took out the clippers in aid of The Lily Foundation, a UK charity dedicated to fighting the disease.

Amanda added: “From a small child he struggled with his balance and co-ordination, but it’s progressively got worse over time.

“Doctors originally thought it was Dyspraxia because he couldn’t perform simple motor tasks properly like holding a pen, so he had to have extra help.

“Harry’s condition began to deteriorate and his co-ordination was just worsening. After months of MRIs and brain scans he was diagnosed with mitochondrial disease (MERFF) at age 19.

The 57-year-old from Southend continued: “It’s quite a rare illness which doesn’t typically develop until later in adolescence. I didn’t even realise I was a carrier until the diagnosis as I didn’t really show any symptoms.

“Now Harry has a walking stick and can’t move independently, he has to have a wheelchair at times and is at risk of falling when he’s out.

“His limbs often spasm, he needs hearing aids and he can’t get his speech out properly. I’m now his main carer.”

To donate visit justgiving.com/fundraising/harry-cozens2