Browse Sections

• Barlow's brief
• Education
• Special reports

Beardless wonder

19/12/2002

HE was the hairiest man in Macclesfield but now he is as smooth as a billiard ball.

The 53-year-old JJ Cookson technician has raised more than £300 for the cash-strapped East Cheshire Hospice in the process.

Peter Yearsley pledged to lose his trademark whiskers to raise money for charity after years of being told that he looked like a certain festive friend.

"I was called everything from Father Christmas to Osama Bin Laden," he said.

"I am a Sixties hippy at heart and I've had facial hair for 17 years. I thought it was about time to go for the chop."

So barber Jez from the Traditional Barbers on Park Green offered his services for free and turned daredevil Peter into a smooth operator.

Peter said: "It was a great laugh. There was a bit of pratting about at the start but everyone put their hands in their pockets.

"Once the beard was off I decided that it didn't look very balanced, so I asked everyone to put a bit of extra cash in and I had my hair shaved too."

And how does Peter feel now he has well and truly bared all?

"It feels a bit strange," he said. "I am very happy with it but I will definitely have to wear a woolly hat now. There is a little bit of designer stubble left but I might even get rid of that when I get home."

Josie Nickson, hospice community events fund-raiser, said: "The people of Macclesfield are coming up with lots of different ideas on how to raise money. It's a great way of bringing attention to the charity.

"We really appreciate all of the support and would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has donated money this year."

If anyone would like to donate money for Peter's sponsored shave, please contact Kath Wood on 01625 422226.