On Saturday 15th October 2011, The Gentry Grooming Co undertook The Big Shave Off, a Guinness World Record Charity Event at Manchester Arndale in conjunction with Wilkinson to raise money for Orchid the men’s cancer charity. Orchid exists to save men’s lives from testicular, prostate and penile cancers through pioneering research and promoting awareness.
The Big Shave Off took place between 10am – 6pm in Hallé Square inside Manchester Arndale. The current world record for The Most Faces Shaved In 8 Hours is 250, The Gentry Grooming Co beat this world record by having 268 Faces Shaved In 8 Hours subject to Guinness World Record approval.
Adele Lock, Managing Director of The Gentry Grooming Co / former The Apprentice Star says: “We are delighted with the result, all our team worked incredibly hard to encourage local men in Manchester to take part and make a generous donation to Orchid, from passing shoppers to participants who have supported our campaign for Orchid from day one.”
Lord Mayor of Manchester Councillor Harry Lyons and Tony Lloyd Labour MP for Manchester Central both attended The Big Shave Off to help raise money for Orchid the men’s cancer charity. The Sale Sharks have also shown their support for the charity event.
Rebecca Porta, Chief Executive, Orchid said: “Orchid was delighted to be the beneficiary charity of this event. It was a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of male cancer and the work of Orchid within an exciting Guinness World Record event in one of UK’s busiest shopping centres. We gave out hundreds of leaflets and we hope this will make a big difference, to encourage better awareness of the signs and symptoms of male cancer, to ultimately save men’s lives.”
Award winning, well respected vocalist and guitarist, Catherine Taylor-Dawson kept shoppers and participants entertained by performing a number of live covers from Oasis right the way through to The Jungle Book. Each participant received a VIP Goody Bag worth £20 courtesy of The Gentry Grooming Co and Spabreaks.com. There was also a variety of raffle prizes on offer including VIP Golf & Spa break at 4* Worsley Park Marriott Hotel & Country Club worth £700 from Spabreaks.com, a meal for 2 at The Grill On The Alley and a signed Jason Manford DVD.
Over 37,000 men are diagnosed with male cancer every year and these numbers are increasing and relentlessly approaching breast cancer figures, yet the awareness is still much lower with men often avoiding health issues, warning signs and symptoms and failing to carry-out regular self checks.
From sons to grandfathers all men of any age face the risk of prostate, penile or testicular cancer. Orchid plays a leading role in the fight against male cancer through research and awareness and by supporting men and their families.
