The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has visited Skullfades barber shop in Sale to show his support for owner, Ged King, ahead of his trip to Nairobi on Friday.

Ged set up the Skullfades Foundation two years ago to help the homeless in Manchester in many ways, one being street cuts.

A team of hairdressers plus an addiction coach visit the streets of Manchester, cut their hair, give them addiction support and advice, feed them and give sleeping bags. He is now off to Nairobi to share his skills.

Ged's good friend and client runs the charity, Bold. He visits Nairobi regularly as a builder to help the community. He has now partnered with Ged to go together and share both of their skills.

Andy Burnham joined the team out on the streets in July, and after being so touched by the experience is now supporting Ged on his journey and presented him with a cheque for £100.

He said: “It’s one thing to give people money but another to give people time and attention.

“I didn’t know what to expect when I went out – I saw a change happen before my eyes as Ged spent time with them, and out of all the things I have seen and done since I have been elected, this had more of an impact than anything – I was really emotional – what unfolded before my eyes was truly brilliant.”

"I'm here today to support Ged's trip to Nairobi, where he is going to help others that are in great need."

Ged will be in Nairobi for three weeks, where he will be teaching four locals basic barbering skills.

He said: "It's going to be tough but the work I do with the people in Manchester is the best preparation I can get."

Andy Burnham has raised £50,000 so far form his homelessness fund, which he set up this year. The fund actively helps the homeless - the biggest help so far has been £20,000 to open a night shelter in Manchester.

Getting his haircut by Ged, Andy Burnham said: "Putting a roof over everyone's head can't just be achieved by me but has to be with the help of everybody.

"There is always something we can do as individuals and even businesses."

He encouraged businesses to help by providing jobs for the homeless, to help people on their path to recovery.

However, he said what doesn’t help the cause is other factors such as axing housing benefits for 18-24 year olds. But he expressed clearly that he was still confident he can reach his goal by 2020.