Head loses his locks for charity

Head loses his locks for charity

24 February 2016

NIALL McLean wears two hats — one as principal of Castlewellan Primary School and a second as an amateur actor with a starring role in St Patrick’s Choral Society’s current production of Annie.

When he was advised to shave his head to get properly into character for his role of Daddy Warbucks in the musical production, which was premiered at the Downshire’s Great Hall last night, he decided to kill two birds with one stone.

Gathering his pupils around him in the school hall on Friday, he turned his dramatic hair cut into a fundraising exercise, raising over £600 so far for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

The head shave, which included an initial clip by parent and hairdresser Gillian Smyth followed by a cut throat shave by Newcastle barber Neil Toner, caused a stir among pupils.

Keen to reassure the younger children that he was still the same person, Niall said they soon got over their shock with the older children coming up with a new nickname to attach to their freshly bald headmaster.

He said there was an immediate queue of children wanting a quick pat of his head and since the event, he said he has been surprised to require a nightly shave to make sure he retains the Daddy Warbucks look.

“I did have a mini panic attack when I felt my head for the first time because I did have a good head of hair. It is a weird sensation,” he said.

Although the fundraiser was entertaining for all, Niall said there were serious reasons behind his decision to undertake the head shave for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

He said he was filled with gratitude for the charity after its nurses helped care for his terminally ill mother Mary five years ago and his brother Michael two years later.

“I think most people of my generation have been affected by cancer in one way or another, whether it be a relative, friend or colleague at work. It is very relevant for everyone,” he said.

“Personally, I was so grateful for the care they gave my mum.”

Anyone who would like to support Niall’s effort for Marie Curie Cancer Care is invited to do so through his just giving page www.justgiving.com/warbucksstpats