A NORTH Kerry publican who volunteered to lose his 45-year-old beard in aid of a local cancer support charity has managed to raised close to €4,000 thanks to the wonderful support of friends, family and fellow shavers.
Well known Ardfert bar owner Eamonn Kirby was one of the first to sign up for Recovery Haven Kerry’s ‘Movember’ Challenge, which encouraged men across Kerry to shave their moustaches or beard in return for sponsorship.
On Saturday night, Kirby’s Bar was packed to capacity as Eamonn and three equally willing local men – James Nelan, Joe Egan and David O’Mahony (see photos below) – put their trust in local hair dresser Elaine Casey and lost their locks one by one.
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Of course the loudest cheer of the night was left for the man himself, whose biggest concern about shaving his four decade-old beard was the cold weather.
Afterwards, a much younger looking Eamonn paid a lovely tribute to Recovery Haven Kerry, saying that it had been his pleasure to be in a position to help out such a worthy cause.
The event, which Eamonn co-ordinated and eagerly promoted on behalf of Recovery Haven, raised a hugely impressive €3,967 – a sum that the charity has hailed as unbelievable.
Recovery Haven’s PR & Marketing officer, Marisa Reidy, said that the charity is indebted to Eamonn and the entire Ardfert community, adding that having someone as well known as Eamonn put his to the campaign was pricesless.
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“Aa well as the unbelievable amount of money Eamonn and the people of Ardfert have made, the publicity and awareness that it created for Recovery Haven has been invaluable. Eamonn came on board with this without hesitation and we are truly grateful to him for what he has done.”
Meanwhile, Recovery Haven Kerry will host its main Movember shave off at The Rose Hotel Tralee next Wednesday, November 27, at 7.30pm, with a number of other bars across the county organising local events on their behalf during the last weekend in November. Scroll down for photos of the the other three volunteers…
I honestly think all 4 men look lots younger – having shaved their beards off !!