Head, beard and eyebrow shave raises over £1,300

A special “thank you” to the Macmillan Unit at the West Suffolk Hospital has resulted in a total of £1,384.15 being raised for the department.

It’s come from Nigel Thompson who had a head, beard and eyebrow shave.

He shed the locks, the facial hair and the two brows at his local pub in Tuddenham.

The White Hart was crowded with regulars who contributed to the fund from the event which took place towards the end of May.

Nigel, who is a print embroiderer at the Ipswich Trade Centre, said he carried out the fundraising shave to pay thanks to the staff at the unit for the care they gave to “someone associated” with the pub and who is being treated for cancer.

“I did it because someone I know is going through some cancer treatment at the moment and I asked what charity they wanted me to donate the money to,” said the 62-year-old, who lives in Barton Mills.

He is a regular drinker at the pub and publicised his challenge on his Facebook site to help clock up the money he raised.

He also said that £230 came from his eyebrow shave alone.

It was carried out by hairdresser Sandra Byatt Feakes from Sandra Byatt Hair and Beauty salon and Nigel added: “I got the lot taken off. I had been challenged to grow my hair for a year which I did.

“I just wanted to do something to raise money and I didn’t think I would get as much as I did but I said I was going to do it for charity and everyone gave so generously.”

And he visited the hospital to hand over the funds to the My WiSH Charity which supports the work of the West Suffolk. 

Sally Daniels, fundraising manager for the charity, thanked Nigel and said: “This was an incredible total raised which just shows the support both Nigel and his friend have received from friends and family.  

“To lose his beard and hair was brave enough but to agree to lose his eyebrows too was an above and beyond act. This money will make a huge difference so thank you Nigel”.