Revs set to brave the shave

Revs will brave the shave in a bid to raise funds for St Nic’s.

After a throwaway comment, two reverends have decided to team up and undergo a dramatic haircut, all in the name of a good cause.

The Reverend Lesley Norburn and the Reverend Canon Sharon Connell will say goodbye to their locks and raise funds for St Nicholas Hospice Care at midday on May 15.

The Reverend Canon Sharon Connell is the Hospice’s Head of Chaplaincy Service, and the Reverend Lesley Norburn is the daughter-in-law of the hospice’s late founder, Canon Richard Norburn (MBE).

They are both determined to raise as much as they can for the charity, which supports those facing dying, death and grief across West Suffolk and Thetford. They are excited to be doing their fundraising during the hospice’s 40th anniversary year.

Reverend Lesley Norburn said: “Our fundraising has been inspired by a seemingly throwaway comment that Sharon made last year while we were watching another clergy friend do a sponsored head shave in aid of St Nic’s.

“Sharon said something like, “You’ve got a lot of hair; we should do this together for the 40th anniversary next year.” After that, it all got a bit real, and a date and time were fixed.

“I don’t like having my hair short, but in the hope of raising a lot of money for the hospice in its anniversary year, I am willing to give it a good go, and of course, I’ll be supported by Sharon.”

Reverend Norburn will also donate her hair to Little Lady Locks, which provides free real-hair wigs to children who have lost their hair through cancer treatment or other conditions, which means two charities will benefit from their efforts.

George Chilvers, the hospice’s community fundraising manager, said: “I’d like to say a big thank you to Sharon and Lesley for braving the shave for us. I know they both have strong connections to St Nic’s, and their fundraising will not only raise much-needed funds for us but also awareness.

“If you can, please come along and support them on the day.”

The pair are welcoming people along to watch their head shaves, which will take place in Bury market (just look out for the hospice gazebo).

If you’d like to support the pair’s efforts, you can do so by clicking here.