Council chair to brave the shave for local charities

The chair of West Suffolk Council, Phil Wittam, (pictured above) will be shaving his head in support of the Suffolk Accident Rescue Service (SARS) and local charity Gatehouse.

The head-shaving event will take place on Wednesday, September 24, at 12 noon at the Bury St Edmunds market.

Speaking ahead of the event councillor Wittam said: “This is about more than just hair – it is about raising funds and bringing attention to the incredible work that SARS and Gatehouse do in our community.

“The charities have been chosen specifically for their contribution to the West Suffolk area.

“SARS volunteers provide specialist clinical responders who assist the ambulance service at the scenes of serious incidents, and the charity relies on donations to fund equipment and training.

“Gatehouse is an independent charity that works with the vulnerable throughout West Suffolk and East Anglia, through foodbanks, home stores and community projects.

Kim Turner, SARS fundraising co-ordinator, said: “We are incredibly grateful to councillor Wittam for taking on this brave challenge to support SARS.

“On 24th September, in Bury St Edmunds, look out for our red SARS gazebo – our team will be there with merchandise and literature to share how every donation helps our volunteer clinicians deliver advanced pre-hospital medicine across Suffolk and beyond.”

Residents and the local community are invited to attend and show their support.

Donations can be taken in cash or using card readers, and will be collected by the charities.

The head shave will be supported by students of the Barbering Program arm of the Academy of Hair and Beauty Studies at West Suffolk College.