See Thurso charity beard shave pictures and chest wax ordeal
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A Thurso man said goodbye to his twenty-year-old beard and had a chest wax with a friend to raise money for a local mental health charity on Monday evening.
Ryan Buttress underwent the shave at a public event in Stepping Stones and had a chest waxing with Murdo Mcconnell afterwards to raise funds for the Join in More men's mental health support group which is run through Listening Ear Caithness.
Over 30 friends and supporters gathered to watch the two men undergo their joint ordeal carried out be Turkish barber Ismail Dogrulmaz and beauty therapist Sophie-Ann Bain. After Ismail had expertly removed the beard and shaved him clean, Ryan said: "The overwhelming consensus is I look 20 years younger."
The quick-witted Dounreay business administrator had fittingly written a tongue-in-cheek "obeardtuary" for his late facial hair. This eulogy to his late fuzzy friend reads: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his beard for his friends.
"On Monday 27th February 2023 we gathered in Stepping Stones, and in solidarity, to pay our respects and to give thanks for the time we shared, and the sacrifice, of Ryan's beard.
"Having seen several changes in government, and numerous world disasters and tragedies unfold, Ryan’s beard has survived many a close shave throughout its long, and storied, life, from its humble beginnings it has evolved from an 'Abraham Lincoln-esque chinstrap', to a wild and untamed 'castaway' beard. Most recently it had also been adorned with Christmas fairy lights and baubles, dividing opinion wherever it has jingled.
"Employers, romantic partners, and grandparents have all tried in vain to see the beard removed. Yet, it remained a permanent fixture and a source of reassuring comfort in an ever-changing world.
"It has been said that Ryan did not choose the beard life, but that the beard life chose him, this was not true. Ryan did not envision his life as a bearded man, but at some point, it started to grow on him.
"Whilst the beard may be gone, it leaves behind a legacy, having raised over £1350 for Join in More, a local men’s group."
After Ismail had done his work there was a round of applause for bare-faced Ryan before he and Murdo underwent the chest waxing. "I've never had it done before and I'm terrified," admitted Murdo who said he had not taken any painkillers and was willing to feel the full-on experience. Sophie-Ann said this was her first waxing and that she'd be happy to do more charity events like this in the future.
Ryan sent a letter that was published in the Groat today (March 3) in which he thanked all who supported the sponsored shaving and waxing. In the letter Ryan explained the motives behind the event: "Our purpose is simple, to become healthier, happier, more emotionally fully integrated men who can support their partners, their children, and their community much more fully. We all have something to give.
"Many men struggle with their mental wellbeing, and behind many a man's unhappiness and anger is shame. It often comes down to not feeling man enough in some way. The world has moved forward, and quite rightly so, but we still want to provide, we are still hard-wired to be strong, and many stereotypes are ingrained in us by society, and since childhood. So how does the modern man provide in an age of equality?
"By providing that strength of emotional and physical presence, and the only way we get there is by firstly breaking down the barriers and stigmas that many of us carry ourselves. We do it by tackling men’s' mental health and stemming the huge numbers of male suicide, and then passing this on to our children, and other guys who need help."
Ryan especially thanked the JiM group for all its support. "Thank you so much, we have raised an incredible £1352 and still counting."
After the shave and wax event had finished, Davie Snashall, outreach development manager with Listening Ear Caithness, said: "It's been absolutely amazing. This is a perfect example of how people have come together to fundraise like this. We support it wholeheartedly. I've known Ryan from when we were initially trialling the JiM group and we had similar passions for starting a men's group.
"The money raised for JiM is purely for that cause. They have total autonomy on how that money's spent."
Local councillor Ron Gunn was at the event and said: "I'm just here to show my support for the group. I think it's great that they have this men's group here on a Monday night. It's a chance for the gentlemen to get together and have a wee chat so I'm here to support the idea and help if I can at all."
To donate to the fundraising appeal please follow this link: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/save-our-jim
The Join In More group has a Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/groups/488490613446938
More info on Listening Ear Caithness and the various services it runs can be found at: listeningearcaithness.org/
Stepping Stones, where the JiM group meet up, is on Riverside Road in Thurso and is run by the Caithness Mental Health Support Group which also has a drop-in centre in Wick called The Haven.
