Eugene gets first trim in five years for charity

Eugene gets first trim in five years for charity

25 October 2017

SEAFORDE man Eugene Gibney, who had been growing his hair and beard for five years, finally had it trimmed last week, with his short, back and sides raising £3,750 for Heartbeat NI.

He chose the parent-led voluntary charity, which aims to provide emotional and practical support to families who have children with heart conditions, after one of his grandchildren was born with a congenital heart defect. 

Eugene set about seeking sponsorship for his industrial-scale clean-up and buckets were placed in local shops where customers donated their change, and family and friends also gave generously. 

The staff at one local restaurant donated one day’s tips and the amount was matched by management ahead of Eugene’s shave on September 16. 

Since then, the money has continued to flow in with £5 donated as a passerby witnessed Eugene handing over the cheque to charity officials.

Eugene would like to thank his many relatives, friends, acquaintances and strangers who donated so generously to this very worthwhile cause. He said it was with great pleasure he was able to hand over a cheque Heartbeat NI chairman, Irwyn McKibbin.