Shave or dye - that’s the question for Gina

TO shave or dye - that’s the question on Gina Shields lips!

Manager of the Ulster Cancer Foundation’s (UCF) Ballymoney, Gina has pledged to change her hair colour to bright pink to raise funds for the charity - and if she raises more than £500 the brave lady has vowed to shave her head completely.

The fundraising challenge is being held at the Main Street premises this Friday to mark the shops special birthday open day.

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Gina explained: “UCF is challenging men (and women) everywhere to shave or dye their hair and help fill our coffers. We are asking offices and workplaces, pubs, hair salons and sports clubs to get involved in the fun event as part of our Men’s Health Awareness campaign.

“The event is going to be a bit of mixed emotions for me - I obviously want to raise as much money as possible for UCF however I don’t fancy the shaving my head idea!“

Ballymoney shop assistant Alan Crawford (24) is also getting in on the act but he’s still deciding what colour to dye his locks.

“I thought this would be a great way to help the charity. I haven’t decided yet what colour to dye my hair though – I’m thinking of red or maybe multi-coloured. I’m open to suggestions!” he said.

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Music, food and drink, and a good browse for bargains will also be on offer on the day to thank local people for their generous on-going support.

“We’d love people from all over the area to come along and see just what we have on offer,” continued Gina.

“We have had a great year trading in Ballymoney and we wanted to mark the occasion by saying a big thank you to all our customers and to those who donated goods.

“To help us celebrate we will have live music by Steven Roddy, who is the manager of UCF’s Limavady shop, and you can have tea or coffee along with pastries, sausage rolls and other tasty snacks. And it’s a great chance for people to come along and see the amazing collection of clothes and other items we have for sale.

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“I also wanted to thank the dedicated team of volunteers and trainees who have helped to keep the shop running - I simply couldn’t have done the job without them. We are very dependant on volunteers and always need more, so if you have any time to spare, we would be delighted if you could come along and give us a helping hand.

“Even if you only have a few hours to spare on a one off occasion or by simply donating a few hours per week, that would be wonderful.

“Volunteering in our charity shops is a great way of making new friends, adding to your skills and experience while helping us fight against cancer.”

Liz Cunningham, who has volunteered in the Ballymoney shop for the last two years and was recently awarded the EU Volunteer Recognition Award for her dedication to volunteering, would definitely recommend it.

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“I love the challenge and meeting the customers, and get great pleasure knowing I have made a difference,” she added.

At the open day, you can find out more about volunteering or how to take part in UCF’s latest fundraiser, Shave or Dye, which is supported by BT.

It is only £10 to register for Shave or Dye and all we ask is that you raise a minimum of £50 sponsorship. Once you have registered, you will be sent a pack which will include an iconic Shave or Dye T-shirt, poster, sponsorship details plus information about men’s health and how/where the money raised will be spent.

Remember to encourage your friends to take part by posting your new hair-raising image on your Facebook page along with donation details.

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Shave or Dye runs until Friday, July 15. If you would like to join in the fun drop into the Ballymoney shop on Friday, July 1, and find out more, or log on to ulstercancer.org/shave-or-dye or facebook.com/shaveordyeni. Email Sarah at [email protected] or call 9068 0765 for more details.

So whether Gina gets a close shave or just ‘sees pink’ - it’s up to YOU!