Toni’s head shines on a day of stars

Musicians, magicians and minions joined forces to help raise £2,318 for charity at the annual StarFest Charity Day on Saturday.

Families enjoyed a traditional fete outside The Star Inn, in East Hill, Ashford, while 11 bands performed inside the venue for almost 12 hours.

Dave the Minion and Gru from popular cartoon film Despicable Me made a special appearance and close-up magician Richard Clements entertained the crowd.

There was a tombola, lucky dip and raffle with 70 prizes.

Brave Toni Thompson, a regular in the pub, went one step further to raise money and had her head shaved in aid of the good causes. She said: “I’m loving my hair like this. Not enough to keep having it, but I think I’m feeling a lot cooler in this heat than the people with hair.

“I have suffered from Crohn’s disease for five years now. I decided to do it as this cause is really underfunded even though there is a large number of people who suffer from inflammatory bowel disease.

“The research into a cure for it is years behind research into cancer. The StarFest always tries to support charities that have a connection with a regular at the pub.

“Of course the Pilgrims Hospice is a very deserving charity, too, and I am happy that both charities will benefit equally.”

Pictures: Paul Amos FM3889382 /FM3889415/FM3889384 Buy pictures from kentonline.co.uk Charly joins in with The Rash, who played at the event; Linkon Bevan, four, with his face painted; right, organisers and helpers

The head-shave hairstyle grew on Toni Thompson – but she didn’t look too sure at first