JIM AND WILL’S £1.5K SHORT CUT
A HEAD and beard shave undertaken by two young men on Christmas Eve afternoon has raised more than £1,500 for two charities.
Will Gould, 25, and Jim Allsop, 26, both from Ipstones, volunteered to take part in the hair and beard shave during the festive season to raise money for the Meningitis Fund and the Douglas Macmillan Hospice.
The shave, which was completed by professional hairdresser Kerry Emery, took place at the Red Lion public house in Ipstones.
Will, who is a self employed ground worker, said: “I have been growing my hair and beard for three months. I wanted to raise money for the two charities who do such good work. The shave was well worth it and I have my hat in case the weather starts to freeze.
“Supporters of The Red Lion have raised thousands of pounds for the Meningitis Fund over the last few years in memory of 14-month-old Kayden Kudlek who was the grandson of the landlord, Mick Richards. Sadly Mick, who helped to raise so much money, also died last summer at the age of just 65.”
Jim, who is a driver for Sainsbury’s of Leek said: “We lost Mick last year and his grandson died from meningitis, so I wanted to raise money for both charities along with Will.
“Both charities mean so much to the landlady Linda and her family and all at the Red Lion.
“It is so worthwhile to be able to raise so much money. We have been sponsored by many people who have been so generous. The proceeds will be split between the two charities.
“It is a cold time of the year to have all your hair shaved off, but it will soon grow back, I hope.
Since Kayden’s death seven years ago, landlady at the pub, Linda Shepherd, said that they had raised more than £20,000 for the Meningitis Fund.
Kayden died just days before Christmas in 2011 after his short fight with meningitis.