A MAN has raised more than £3,000 for charity – just by growing his hair for a whole year.
Ron Jones, 53, known to his friends as ‘Big Ron’ from Blackwood decided to do it after a bit of ‘banter’ between himself and some friends.
(L-R Brian Jones, Ron Jones and Melissa from velindre with the cheque)
He said: “It all started as a bit of banter in the clubhouse after a game of golf. One of my friends Tal said I would look good if I grew my hair.
“So I said I would grow it for a year for charity if he gave £100.”
Long-time friend Brian Jones, 59, was there and said he would also chip in.
“It just snowballed from there," he said. “The fundraising was a joint effort between Ron and me. Ron would go and get the sponsorship and I would record everything and collect the money."
MORE NEWS:
- Sleep outside to help raise money to fight homelessness
- Stagecoach staff raised £650 with a cake sale for Macmillan Cancer Support
- Fundraiser launches dementia support group in Blaenavon
More than 120 people sponsored Mr Jones - with the majority from family, friends and members of the golf club.
The total of £3,775 was counted and presented to Melissa from the Velindre Fundraising team at Blackwood Golf Club on Saturday, November 16 – a year after Mr Jones started to grow his hair.
On the day, Mr Jones had his head shaved by another long time friend, 57-year-old Derek Morris. He also received a certificate from Velindre for his outstanding effort.
(Derek Morris shaving Ron Jones' head at the big shave.)
After the event, Ron Jones said: “It has been a long year growing my hair but I feel very proud to have raised so much money for a great cause.”
(Ron Jones after his shave. He raised £3,825 for Velindre)
Since the shave, the total has grown to £3,825.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here