Clare Austin, funeral director and owner of Austin’s Family Funeral Directors, has raised over £8,000 after shaving her hair off for charity.
The money raised will be going towards funding for charities and organisations in her local area, Stevenage, through the Stevenage Community Trust.
Austin was born and bred in Stevenage and for the past 20 years has run the family funeral business which was established in town more than 300 years ago. She has taken part in a number of fundraising events including charity work in India and Vietnam and in 2014 ran the London Marathon in aid of Stevenage’s local hospice.
The ’big shave’ took place on Saturday 25 August at the Austin’s fairytale themed, Family Fun Day. This is an event held every year at Austin’s home for the firm’s staff and their families. Austin was dressed as Rapunzel and during the afternoon had her head shaved in front of 150 guests. The deed was carried out by hairdresser, Jo Gates, who went to Barclay School with Austin.
Austin said: “It was an amazing experience. I received so much support from my family, friends and the Austin’s team. I am delighted to have been able to raise funds for our community in this way.”
