Shrewsbury 'Santa' raises £1,500 by having eight-inch beard shaved off
A man whose beard grew to nearly nine inches in length before he had it shaved off in aid of charity has raised more than £1,500.
With hairdressers closed during the lockdown, Rotarian Peter Love, a member of Shrewsbury Severn Rotary Club, couldn’t get his beard shaved until restrictions were lifted this month.
He grows it every year for Santa duties and appears on the sleigh every Christmastide to bring joy to those young and not so young.
So whilst the beard grew a lot longer than normal, the time was put to good use by Peter to canvas Rotary club members and associate members, family, friends and neighbours, in his fundraising project for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.
“They have all done me proud,” said Peter.
“I am absolutely thrilled with the result which I am hoping might be a record amount raised in the shave off of a beard over eight and a half inches long.
“The figure of £1,500 isn’t final as I am still awaiting some pledges to be honoured.”
He once again thanked Risdon's the Barbers of Shrewsbury Market Hall, who performed the beard shave for free as their contribution to the fundraising.
A large donation to Peter’s chosen charity was made by Shrewsbury Severn Rotary Club, whose secretary Gareth Watkins said: "A great fundraising effort, but it's also nice to have our old friend back now we can recognise him again."
Jo Bailey, events and area fundraising manager at the air ambulance charity, said: “Peter’s beard shave raised an amazing amount of money for our lifesaving service, £1,500 equates to seven critical care car missions.
“Thank you so much to Peter and everyone who has donated to the challenge. It means so much to us all at Midlands Air Ambulance Charity.”
