Twenty four staff at Stewarts Garden Centres have raised £5,500 in sponsorhip for their Brave The Shave appeal for Macmillan Cancer Support. 

Visitors to the Christchurch centre watched as both male and female team members had their hair shaved.  As part of the fun, many of the men also had their beards removed by local hairdresser Tracey Carter from the Blades salon, who also performed a wax hair removal on the legs of catering tream member Peter Scott. Plant Buyer Katherine Hunt donated her long locks of hair to the Little Princes Trust to be made into a wig for someone who has lost their own hair during cancer treatment.

Above: Paul Hilliam (first left) and Tracey Carter (front left) with some of the Stewarts team who Braved the Shave.

Directors Martin Stewart and Terry Head  also stepped up to brave the shave, which was organised by Christchurch centre manager Paul Hilliam after he announced he was “all clear” after two major surgeries and treatments on his head and neck cancer.

 “I’m delighted that with this magnificent team effort we exceeded our original target of £2000,” Paul said. “ We owe this to our friends, family and the great support of our customers who also joined in the fun and entered fundraising raffles and competitions on the day.”

MD Martin Stewart said he was proud and inspired by the team’s goodwill and support for a vital charity. “It was a fun day for the team who are now working hard to prepare the centres for a range of Halloween and Christmas events which will support local charities,” he added.