A BIG-HEARTED and bushy-bearded Rugby man is braving a big shave to raise money for a charity which has inspired him.
Callum Armitage, 25, has decided to shave off his beard after a year of growth, to raise awareness and vital funds for the James Bulger Memorial Trust – named after the two-year-old who was abducted, tortured and murdered by two ten-year-old boys in 1993.
As a parent himself, Callum said he felt strongly about measures to prevent child abduction which hits families hard.
Speaking to the Observer, he said: “The tragic story of what happened to James is just as shocking now as it was back then.
“Recent events in Newcastle have reminded us that child abduction is still an ongoing issue. After reading James’s mum’s recent interview and being a parent myself I was interested and drawn to her idea of a new, innovative device that aims to help prevent parents losing sight of their young children.
“I feel that raising money in order to help fund this device could potentially prevent another case, like that of James, from reoccurring.”
Callum, who works at St Cross Hospital, started growing the beard in August last year and has become very attached to it after it brought him a few moments of fame.
He said: “It’s become a big part of my life and identity in such a short time of existence. I’ve been involved with things like ‘Beard Club’ and one day was even among the most liked beard pictures on Instagram under the page ‘Beard4All’.
“It’s been nice hearing comments such as ‘now that’s a beard!’ here and there. I’ll be sad to see it go but when there’s no going back there’s always growing back.”
Callum is set to shave off his beloved beard on Saturday August 27 at Mister Robinson’s Barbershop on Church Street in Rugby.
Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Shave-forjames to donate.
