Finlay and Rory Hagan, who go to Hurworth School, near Darlington, took the bald action in memory of 61-year-old Richard Abbott (imagined listed below) who passed away from cancer.
Finlay, 13, and Rory, 11, said they were “nervous but excited” about raising crucial funds for St Teresa’s Hospice.
“When our step-grandad passed away, St Teresa’s Hospice was amazing, and their support meant that our Nanna was able to get a night’s sleep because she knew he was being well looked after,” said Finlay.
Rory included: “Having your hair shaved off is a bit scary but we wanted to do something to remember him, and to raise money for a good cause.”
Having heard just how much the young boys wished to help raise money for the hospice, their mum, Natalie, a mentor assistant at Hurworth Primary School, created the head shave concept however didn’t believe they would be prepared to go that far.
“I expected them to say ‘no’ but they were all for it straight away,” she said:
“I’m so pleased with them for being so generous at an age when kids are so mindful of their look. They’ve put that to one side due to the fact that they understand it’s going to help others.
“Richard was a lovely man who meant a lot to the family. He was a regular fundraiser himself for the Dogs Trust, and it’s nice to take something so tragic and make it so positive.”
Richard, a retired occupation training assessor at Derwentside College, had actually been wed to Natalie’s mum, Angela, for simply 10 months when he passed away.
The shaving was performed by the young boys’ auntie, Sarah Anstay, under the guidance of their seven-year-old twin sis, Esme and Orla.
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Orla said she believed her bros were “really brave”, while Esme included: “At first, I thought they looked a bit weird, but now I think it suits them.”
Finlay and Rory set a preliminary target of £250 however have “smashed” it by raising £1,135 up until now. That’s in addition to £670 which was raised for St Teresa’s through a collection at Richard’s funeral service.
