Thursday, April 24, 2014

Redcar barbershop customers help family of boy with cerebral palsy


The Original Barber Co at Embleton Court, Redcar, gave away free haircuts, tanning sessions and beauty treatments to raise funds for the family of Oscar McGill





St George's Day celebrations helped bring hope to the family of a boy with cerebral palsy.


The Original Barber Co at Embleton Court, Redcar, gave away free haircuts, tanning sessions and beauty treatments to raise funds for the family of Oscar McGill.


Three-year-old Oscar, from Redcar, has severe dystonic cerebral palsy and requires 24-hour care.


Because of the time and effort spent on regular hospital visits, Oscar’s family set up Oscar’s Fund, a charity to raise funds to provide a wheelchair accessible vehicle.


At the suggestion of barber Danny Duffy, barbershop owners Daniel Taylor and Andy Crawford organised an event to celebrate St George’s Day and decided to put the day to good use and raise funds for Oscar’s Fund.


Daniel Taylor said: “It’s the sort of thing every year where people are saying, ‘There’s always loads on for St Patrick’s Day but never for St George’s’.


“It started just for St George’s Day, then we decided to do it for Oscar’s Fund.


“We’re hoping to raise about £1,500. We’ve had about 50 to 60 people through the doors and they’ve all donated.”


Delighted with the generosity shown by local business, Oscar’s mum Kirstie McCormick, 33, said: “We’re really chuffed that they are doing this for us.


“We’re grateful for all of the help we can get.”


Holding Oscar’s one-year-old brother Teddy, Oscar’s dad Dave McGill, 35, said: “We’re a local family and it’s good to know that local businesses are willing to help us.


“It’s quite overwhelming really that people are willing to help us out like this - it’s fantastic.”


Among the punters to drop in and show their support were comic Roy Chubby Brown and MP Ian Swales.


Despite turning down a trim of his famous locks, Roy said: “I always support local charities when I can.


“These people who look after children for 24 hours a day are angels - they deserve a medal.”


Settling into the barbers’ chair Mr Swales said: “Don’t take too much off, I don’t have much hair to lose!


“I think we should do more for St George’s Day and this is a great cause, I’m always happy to support charities like this.”


Also on offer on the day were a range of free treatments from beauty therapist Laura Rogers, 25.


She said: “We’ve been busy today. It’s for a local lad and it’s really nice that local people have come together for it.”



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