Spring is here and as we rush to put away our winter coats and make plans on how to utilise those long days, it’s also time to think about shaving that beard off your face.
Why, because April sees the start of Shaveril (see what they did there?) where men are asked to shave off their beards for charity.
Shaveril is simple: during the month of April, just shave your beard. Then post a before and after picture or video to Twitter, Instagram or Facebook with the hashtag #shaveril. Then the fun begins. Nominate a friend to either do the same or donate to Mind using the text code or online link. Feel free, of course, to do both as it is for charity.
To make it even more enticing on Thursday April 14th, they will be hosting a free pop-up barbers at The Hoxton, Shoreditch.
Men of London can join from 5pm to have their beards shaved by professional East London barbers, such as Thy Barbers, or engage themselves in a shaving master class. There will also be complimentary food and drinks available.
From 1st until 31st April all bearded brethren will be able to book in at Thy Barbers, at The Bike Shed in Shoreditch, for a full wet beard shave. If customers quote Shaveril upon booking, Thy will donate all the proceeds to Mind.
It’s all for a great cause and is worth doing. Who knows you may realise you have a handsome face under all that fluff!
Shaveril is in support of Mind, a charity that campaigns to improve mental health services, whilst raising awareness and promoting understanding of mental health.
Maria Healy, Senior Community Fundraising Officer at Mind says:
“I’d like to say a huge thank you to Brickwall for launching this amazing campaign and choosing to fundraise for Mind.
“Not only will there be men all over town sporting a brand new look, but money raised will fund our vital work including the Mind Infoline, our advice services and the campaigning Mind does to secure a better deal for the one in four of us who experience a mental health problem every year.”
Ian Noonan, King’s Teaching Fellow and Head of Department of Mental Health at Kings’ College London, is shaving his beard as part of Shaveril:
“The effect of mental illness is not just the personal experience, but the isolation that can be caused when people, families, colleagues and employers step back from the person who is ill because they just don’t know what to do or say. For 70 years, MIND has provided invaluable support and information. They have transformed the way people think and talk about mental health and portray mental illness in the media.
“My beard has remained part of my identity for fifteen years. Shaving it off will make me pause and think about my identity, and how others see me. Having fun and sharing the before and after images on social media for Shaveril is a way of connecting – being part of something bigger than ourselves, which for me has always been one of the things that protects my mental health. It is also a great way to bring attention to the work of MIND and raise money to support them.”
So do something good today and who knows, perhaps we can help raise awareness and understanding around mental health.
To donate you can visit justgiving.com/shaveril or text SHAV68 with the amount £5, £10 or £20 to 70070.