Ollie to shave it off for Pieta House

AS a self confessed lover of his beard, Ollie Payne admits that it will pain him when he takes the razor to it on the night of Saturday, April 29, at The Star and Garter Bar in Listowel in aid of Pieta House, but he says that it will all be part of a worthy cause.

Suicide is a subject very close to home for Listowel’s Ollie, having lost a number of friends to it already and having known many others who have attempted it.

With his upcoming ‘Shave It Off’ fundraiser, he just hopes to help raise awareness of the services that are out there, such as Pieta House.

“It’s a very personal thing for me. Everyone in Ireland knows somebody who has been affected by it and I just wanted to try my best to help the support systems that are currently out there,” said Ollie, talking to The Kerryman last week.

“I’ve got over 25 different spot prizes from businesses all over Listowel that we’ ll be raffling off on the night as well - we’ve raised over €810 so far through our online page and I’ve given out a good few sponsorship cards from Pieta House as well so hopefully we’ ll be able to raise a good amount for the service.”

Ollie, who has been growing his beard for the past three years, will be joined in The Star and Garter Bar on April 29 by a number of other brave souls who will be shaving their beards off.

Ollie says that it will hopefully be an entertaining night for a good cause.

“A few guys have agreed to wax their chest and legs on the night as well and we’ll be selling waxing strips for €2 aswell on the night so it’ll be a bit of craic.”

The fundraising event will kick off at 8pm on Saturday April 29.

Listowel’s Ollie Payne is set to shave his beard for charity.