What started as a joke between friends that I should shave my famously large ‘quiff’ off, became one of my most fun achievements in my life. I have always wanted to raise a large sum of money for the charity after both my father’s parents (whom I never met) passed away due to cancer. Most of my friends will know I liked my hair in large and over the top styles, so when I said I would be off with it for charity as a passing comment, the interest soon drastically increased with people offering larger than expected sums of money, just to see me without a fury noggin!
Having never actively hosted fundraising events before I had no idea where to start with this. To see the whole story unfold, check out the Instagram highlights reel here. From the beginning, I set myself the ridiculous target of £1,035. Everyone’s first question was:
‘Why the extra £35’?
Literally everyone
Simply put… it’s my lucky number, why not? Little did I know, nor expect, that I would hit this target! Check out the fundraiser result here:
I registered myself with Cancer Research UK, created posters to promote my goal and cause. In addition, I picked up several pots and buckets from my local CRUK shop and distributed them to my local pubs and businesses where I am familiar with the establishment owners.
Shave Night
When it came to shaving night I was nervous but excited, to say the least. I booked an entire room at The New Inn Salisbury who kindly let me have the room for free due to the cause the night was dedicated to. The evening was advertised throughout the pub televisions and numerous people donated on top of all my family, colleagues and friends who came to support and donate to the cause.
I had arranged my long-time hairdresser of 10 years, Tim Kerley to bring hair cutting tools to get the job done. In addition, I enlisted two of my friends Esther and Alice to be my assistants for the night. They helped me with taking money for the raffle and donations towards the wax strips which were used to extract more hair from my person all for the greater good. All donators got the chance to have a go at my head in turn meaning everyone could get in on the fun of the night.
I was so humbled to get that much support from so many people and businesses for the cause. I had no idea my friends were live-streaming the event from my phone at the time and I was so upon getting my phone back I was greeted with the kindest of words from many people who weren’t present. Additionally, I was sponsored by Hive Communications and Blue Bee who kindly printed a custom T-Shirt for the night. Overall, It was an incredible experience and one of my proudest achievements. It was an interesting adjustment period to see me wearing warm hats seeing as I had my hair removed in the winter months, poor timing from me!