Close shave for Macmillan

Staff and customers of Ballymena Livestock Market booked themselves in for a hairdressing appointment with a difference recently.
A star fundraiser for MacMillan Cancer Support. (Submitted Picture).A star fundraiser for MacMillan Cancer Support. (Submitted Picture).
A star fundraiser for MacMillan Cancer Support. (Submitted Picture).

Hair, eyebrows and beards were cut, coloured and styled as they worked together to raise over £6500 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Yard supervisor, Jim Beggs, came up with the idea of a sponsored shave following the recent loss of a close family friend, Ruby Hart.

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Jim said: “The Macmillan Unit in Antrim was a great support to my friend and her family in the last few days of her life. I wanted to do something practical to support the continued care of those suffering from cancer.”

Yard supervisor, Jim Beggs, spreads the word about the Macmillan fundraiser at Ballymena Livetock Market. (Submitted Picture).Yard supervisor, Jim Beggs, spreads the word about the Macmillan fundraiser at Ballymena Livetock Market. (Submitted Picture).
Yard supervisor, Jim Beggs, spreads the word about the Macmillan fundraiser at Ballymena Livetock Market. (Submitted Picture).

Keen to support his fundraising idea, staff member Johnny Getty volunteered to have his eyebrows trimmed and hair dyed pink. There was no escape for the market customers either, as Victor Campbell got involved by shaving off his beard and, on the day itself, other staff members, including Johnny Mackey, wore pink hair with pride.

The men took their places at a specially created ‘Shaving Station’ where they were styled in front of a large crowd of spectators by Diane Bartlett, Gemma Moody and Hannah Griffith.

Auctioneer Graham Loughery sold some donated items in a short auction, the proceeds of which, combined with donations, created the fabulous total.

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Pointing out that Jim’s initial fundraising target was £500, Graham said: “It’s testament to Jim’s popularity and personality that he got so much support from friends, family, colleagues and customers to raise a fantastic amount of money for a charity close to his heart.”

'Hair today, gone tomorrow' for the volunteers at the Ballymena Livestock Mart fundraiser for Macmillan Cancer Support. (Submitted Picture)'Hair today, gone tomorrow' for the volunteers at the Ballymena Livestock Mart fundraiser for Macmillan Cancer Support. (Submitted Picture)
'Hair today, gone tomorrow' for the volunteers at the Ballymena Livestock Mart fundraiser for Macmillan Cancer Support. (Submitted Picture)

The Ringside Cafe provided a hub for people to come together, discuss the event and enjoy the fun and Roberta Moody

and her team promoted the event with Macmillan t-shirts, balloons and flags.

Jim said: “I have been overwhelmed by the support from everyone. What started out as a personal thought and a bit of fun has turned into something that has really brought people together and raised an amount of money that I never imagined.”