Girl ropes in dad for headshave
STUART PIKE
ATEENAGE girl persuaded her dad to join her in having her head shaved to mark the first anniversary of the death of a loved one next month.
Stevie Stuart-Rourke, 15, lost her grandma Joan last year at Royal Preston Hospital.
Stevie, who has just left Mount Carmel RC High School in Accrington, felt helpless at the time and shortly after Joan passed away she suggested the charity fundraiser.
She approached her father Simon Rourke, 50, with the suggestion and enlisted his full support - in more ways than one.
Simon, of Park Street, explained: “She came and said ‘Dad can I have my hair shaved off for charity and donate my hair and the money I raise to charity?’
“I agreed and she asked me if I would have to do it as well - so I agreed.”
He added that she told him he wasn’t able to have his hair cut or beard shaved until the big day, which will be on Saturday, August 19 at Supercuts in Accrington.
The duo chose to raise money for East Lancashire Hospice – somewhere Simon regularly visits while delivering oxygen tanks.
Stevie currently has long hair down to her elbow, and Simon has grown his hair to shoulder length and his beard is a few inches below his chin.
Biker Simon, a father- of-three, said: “On August 20 last year my mother passed away.
“Stevie loved her grandma and her death really upset her.
“She felt useless because there was nothing she could do.
“Now she is looking forward to doing something in her memory. We’re not just having it cut, we’re having it shaved.
“My wife Diane can’t wait to see my beard go. I’ve grown quite attached to it....well, it’s become quite attached to me!”
The daughter and dad pair have set themselves a fundraising target of £500 for East Lancashire Hospice.
To sponsor them visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ s t evie- andsimon-rourke-headshave