St. Paul’s Anglican Church Reverend Carrie Irwin holds her locks before hairstylist Brenda Elliott cut them for Heroes for Hope during the Southampton church’s Fish Fry fundraiser June 9.

Editor's Note: This event started as a Cops for Cancer event and was originally organized by Jim Stark in memory of his father, the late Stewart Stark, who passed away from cancer in 2012. Stewart Stark was the Chief of Police in Southampton during the 1960s and 1970s.

Hub Staff

The congregation of St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Southampton surpassed the challenge of raising $10,000 in support of the Alzheimer Society and Heroes for Hope through the Canadian Cancer Society. The funds raised resulted in Reverend Carrie Irwin donating her long locks during St. Paul’s Fish Fry June 9.

Irwin said the idea to fundraise came from Jim Stark who also shaved his head during the event. “It was a little slow at the beginning,” said Irwin. “So I said, ‘okay folks if we raise $10,000 I will rock a summer do, I will have my hair a buzzcut,’ and it just went like fire from there and it’s been wonderful.”

Irwin went on to say that it wasn't a hard decision to give back to the Alzheimer Society and the Canadian Cancer Society through Heroes for Hope. “Because of our seniors environment here, it’s our huge outreach here at St. Paul’s and the cancer for kids was one of those areas that is really felt here in Saugeen Shores.” She added, “It was an easy thing and i just had to come and donate my hair.

Irwin added that it’s a small sacrifice and gives a tiny sense of the vulnerability people must feel when they lose their hair. “So it’s a show of support,” she said.

Barber Don Tew and hairsylist Brenda Elliott donated their time to cut the locks. The hair was taken by a Canadian Cancer Society representative and will be given the Pantene’s Beautiful Lengths project which creates wigs from the hair. With two sold out seatings, the Lake Huron White Fish was donated at cost and fried up by members of the Saugeen Shores Fire Department.

On behalf of the Southampton firefighters, Paul Shular and John Campbell battered the Lake Huron White Fish for the Fish Fry June 9.

Fourteen year old Aidan Marshall raised $520 for Heroes for Hope and bravely cut off his hair to donate to Pantene’s Beautiful Lengths which creates wigs for people affected with hair loss caused from cancer treatments.

Like Mother, like daughter, Elspeth Irwin donated her hair while also raising funds for Heroes for Hope and the Alzheimer Society June 9.

Aleigha Eagleson brought her freshly cut braids in a ziplock bag to donate.

Reverend Carrie Irwin challenged St Paul’s congregation that if they raised $10,000 she would shave her head. By June 9 the congregation’s fundraiser had reached approximately $11,000. Irwin enjoyed her “short and sassy” new do.

Jim Stark and Doug Johnson (right) patiently wait for their their turn under the clippers.

Doug Johnson’s head glistened in the sunlight after being shaved by veteran barber Don Tew.

Don Tew made longtime client Jim Stark squirm as he cut-off his braids during St. Paul’s Fish Fry, Heroes for Hope Fundraiser, June 9.