Ruth braves the shave for 21st
A Perth teaching support assistant chose to spend her 21st birthday shaving off all her hair to help Fairview Primary School.
Ruth Stewart has experimented with a lot of hair colours and looks over the years, but gamely took up the Brave the Shave challenge to raise funds for Fairview last month.
The staff called her “a legend” for bringing in £2102.68 in sponsorship which will go towards activities for children with long term and enduring additional support needs catered for at the school.
“I absolutely loved doing this,” said Ruth, who due to COVID-19 restrictions could only invite a small number of people to witness her transformation done in the garden where she lives.
“It was an amazing way to spend my 21st birthday.
“I’ve always liked to experiment with my appearance, so the idea of completely shaving my head was so exciting to me.
“My hair pre-shave was medium length and very thick - and I dyed it lots of colours over the years pink, orange, turquoise, purple, you name it.
“Due to COVID-19, I could only have a few people come to watch and participate in my garden.
Louise Johnston, a fellow Fairview pupil support assistant and Mairi Sutherland an old friend, came to help along with the family I live with.
“The children who have seen me surprisingly absolutely love it. The best thing was when a pupil whom I’ve known for a while came bounding up to me - recognising my face and voice - and titled their head with a furrowed brow.
“I said: ‘It’s okay, it’s still me’ and they laughed with relief.”
Ruth spoke warmly of the school she works at: “Fairview is absolutely incredible, so special and so are the pupils in it.
“The sheer dedication of the teachers, specialists, pupil support assistants, and particularly the management team is something so rare.
“You definitely do not come into a job like this without love and passion in your heart.
“So I thought in times as crazy as these, we should all be helping others in whatever way we can.
“The funds raised will go to Fairview’s Parent Council, who will purchase resources that will help support their children in transitioning back into school life after lockdown.
“In total, I raised £2102.68.”