Exmouth set for Guinness Book Of Records charity shave Pen Reed (left) and friends Mike Passant and Diane McKnight have organised a head shave or body wax fundraiser at 5pm on January 11 in Exmouth’s pubs. Photo: Paul Strange
Paul Strange Monday, November 4, 2013
6:55 AM
A BIG buzz will be heard across Exmouth when scores of pub regulars shave off their hair for charity in a bid to become immortalised in the Guinness Book of Records.
Organizers hope that the synchronised snip will break records for the world’s largest simultaneous shave-a-thon.
With 17 Exmouth pubs already confirmed for the fundraising event at 5pm on January 11, 2014, thousands of pounds could be raised for Breast Cancer UK as more and more customers sign up for the dynamic depilatory drive.
Details of the Pen Reed and Friends Special Charity Event emerged following a chance meeting at the recent Exmouth Carnival fun day.
Pen Reed, 48, from Brixington was helping out on the British Legion stall.
While chatting to her, Mike Passant, 73, of Littleham’s Living Church, discovered Pen was planning to have her head shaved to raise money for her aunt in Kent, who has breast cancer.
“My cousins do the pink charity walk, but I can’t do that because I’ve got ME and Fibromyalgia,” she said.
“Just for a joke I suggested to my hairdresser that I could do a sponsored head shave. She said, ‘Good idea!’”
Originally Pen planned a low-key event at home with her friend, Diane McKnight, 53, from Crediton, who also has Fibromyalgia.
Mike suggested making the event considerably bigger, to include customers at Exmouth’s pubs.
“Since then, it’s run away with itself!” said Pen. “I’m stunned by the amount of people who want to take part.”
“The reaction from the pubs has been unbelievable,” said Mike. “I’ve got 17 and most of them are keen to go for it.
“Two or three have said, ‘Well I’ve got plenty of idiots in here who will have a go at something like that!’”
The event’s date was proposed by Diane, whose mother-in-law died from breast cancer six years ago.
“January 11 is the nearest date to what would have been my mother’s in law’s – and my mother’s – birthday,” said Diane. “I can’t do much to help other people because I’m disabled myself, but this is something I can do.”
Pen said her aunt was in full support of the synchronised snip and shave-a-thon.
“She’s proud of me,” said Pen. “It’s gone from just me to me and my friend to me, my friend and half of Exmouth, by the sound of it. And she was like, ‘Wow!’”
Mike is hopeful that the event may expand outside Exmouth, becoming a world record. A Facebook campaign has been started.
Exmouth pubs currently taking part include: The Bank, The Bath House, The Beach, The Clipper, The Country House, Exmouth Arms, The Famous Old Barrel, Fats, The F&L, The Farmhouse, The Grapevine, The Grove, The Heavitree, The Phoenix, The Pilot, The Park and The York.
For more information or to take part, contact Mike Passant, 0752 3883888, email: mpassant@hotmail.co.uk
From www.exmouthjournal.co.uk
