Haverhill Cricket Club shows its support as charity head shave soars past fund-raising target

A man who ‘Braved the Shave’ as a way to show support to his mum as she battles cancer has thanked everyone that helped him to smash his fund-raising target for charity.

Carl Bradford went under the clippers on Sunday at Haverhill Cricket Club (HCC), to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

His endeavours were supported by fellow HCC player, Dave Hammond, who had his beard dyed pink and purple (a task completed by his own daughter Ellie) to further boost the fund-raising.

Carl’s dad Richard, 64, also had his head shaved - a personal first for him - to add more money to the pot.

So far the enterprising move has raised almost £2,000. A target had been set for £300.

Donations can still be made

Carl had his head shaved by his mum Carol, 63 who is currently going through chemotherapy for her cancer. Until she arrived at the club Carol was unaware of what was going on.

“I’m doing it for her,” said Carl, 40, “but not only her, for everybody who has got cancer, who has beaten cancer and also lost people through cancer.

“It’s not just for mum but it’s for everybody and I think everyone has bought into that and donated in.”

He thanked everybody that has donated so far, with a special thank you to the licensees of The Woolpack and Royal Exchange pubs in Haverhill, Brian and Dionne Walford, who donated £500.

Carl added: “Also, I want to thank Dave Hammond for stepping up. He didn’t have to but he was just as big a part of it.

“I think there was about 70 people there on Sunday and Adam Dellar (another HCC player and owner of Dellar Sports Coaching) put up a couple of bouncy castles.

“I knew I had support with the people that donated but I wasn’t expecting that many people to be there.

“To see that was brilliant really and to see people turn up that I didn’t even know was quite nice.

“You don’t realise how much support you’ve got until something like this and then you realise what support you have got.”