Eleven men have taken the plunge and gone blonde – all in the name of a good cause.
The men, aged from their early 20s to mid-50s, had their hair dyed at Handsomes of Harleston on Saturday.
It was a joint idea between regular customer Ross Lomax, who works as a duty manager at Harleston Gym, and barbershop owner Julie Whitbread.
Ross said: “I have always been tempted to go blonde and was chatting to Julie about it one day.
“She suggested doing it for charity, if we could get some other people to join in.
“I am keen on charity work and thought it was a great idea, so we set about finding some other people through the gym and the barbers.”
Julie suggested raising money for men’s mental health, a cause close to her heart.
She said: “My husband, who was also one of the men who had their hair dyed, lost his best friend to suicide. My son also lost one of his friends
quite recently. It came as a shock to both of them.
“Working at the barbers, we know men have issues as we are good listeners. They open up about all kinds of things, from losing their job to
splitting up with their partner.
“These are things they may not talk about generally and that’s why mental health awareness is so important.”
The men have so far raised more than £1,100 for MensCraft, a Norfolk-based charity focusing on men’s health and wellbeing.
Ross added: “People have been very generous and, because we are still blonde, it opens up conversations about mental health.
“Like Julie, at the gym we are often aware of issues men are having, from relationships to financial issues.
“Exercise is a good way to help maintain good mental health, but it has go beyond that by creating an atmosphere where men feel comfortable to talk about their troubles.”
Chris Lown, 53, a groundsman for Harleston Parish Council, was only too happy to help.
“I lost a cousin to suicide and, of all the people you thought might take their own life, it wasn’t him,” he told the Diss Express.
“Sometimes, men can feel uncomfortable talking about certain issues, so the more we can do to promote it, the better.
“People ask about my hair now and I’m happy to tell them about why we did it, and they are then motivated to help.
“It certainly produced some interesting results. Ross looks likes he is from a boy band and I look like Coco the Clown. But it was for a very good cause.”
Samuel Prince, communications lead for Menscraft, said: “We’re enormously grateful to Julie and Ross for organising such an imaginative and successful fundraising event, highlighting the support services that MensCraft provides.
“Many thanks to all involved for their commitment, creativity and bringing colourful attention to the importance of positive conversations around men’s mental health.”
To support the fundraiser effort, go to www.justgiving.com/page/harlestonhandsomegym
Julie added: “Thanks to everyone who has donated so far.”
