A free day of haircuts, along with food and entertainment, will be held in Ashburton town centre this month as a mental health fundraiser.
JGT Barber on East St has organised Hair 4 Care Day, on April 28, as the business comes up to its one-year anniversary.
Eight barbers, including some of Christchurch’s best, from 1855 Barbershop, will be cutting hair for free and taking donations for mental health.
JGT owner Jadah George-Tarawa said he was grateful for donations of food from a number of organisations for the event. There would be face painting and live music provided by Ashburton singer and guitarist Tom Taukamo.
George-Tarawa said he had come up with the idea of holding the day as he came up to his business’s one-year anniversary.
‘‘I first wanted to do it because a lot of families can’t afford to get their kids hair cuts. Then I thought might as well do some sort of donation to mental health,’’ the former youth worker said.
He himself had suffered loss as a friend close to him died of suicide.
He said the donations would go to, I AM HOPE, who did a good job of being there for people to talk about troubles they may be having.
He also hoped by holding the day, it would raise awareness of mental health.
‘‘Hopefully this can help people reach out and talk to others in times of struggle, rather than take it on themselves and not know what to do.’’
He said barbers and hairdressers often found themselves in the privileged position of being a client’s confidante.
Last year as he started his business he told The Ashburton Courier he had chosen his new career of becoming a barber as he was inspired to help youth and offer a service to the community.
‘‘It is a good way to connect to people on the barber chair,’’ he said.
He had a target of 80 haircuts at Hair 4 Care day. While the cuts are for anyone, they would generally be boys’ and mens’ styles and undercuts.
The barbers would include himself and those from 1855 Barbershop in Christchurch and Styles Hair Studio Ashburton.
– Hair 4 Care Day on April 28 will be at Baring Square East from 11am to 3pm.
