Published: Thursday, 13th December, 2007 09:30
First haircut in 25 years for Jim
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IT was a case of hair today, gone tomorrow, as big-hearted Haddingtonian Jimmy Robertson underwent a radical change in appearance for charity in his local pub.
Fellow regulars at The Pheasant on Market Street turned up in their droves to witness a sight they thought they would never see – that of 53-year-old Jimmy getting the “Samson” treatment from former hairdresser Natasha Black.
Jimmy, from Seggarsdean Park, had been famous around the county town for not having his hair cut in a quarter of a century. He wore his locks in a pony tail that was so long he was able to sit on it.
But history has finally been re-written after he agreed to help raise much-needed funds for Macmillan Cancer Research.
“A few of us were talking in the pub about what we could do to raise money for charity in the run-up to Christmas,” he told the Courier.
“A friend of mine suggested that I cut my ponytail off and it all went from there. I had not cut my hair for so long, but it seemed like the right thing to do.”
Just for good measure, he also agreed to lose the beard and moustache he had worn since 1994.
The result – an unrecognisable Jimmy and an estimated £1,000 in charity donations.
Jimmy, who worked as a compositor for the Courier from 1969 to 2002, is currently employed as a despatch assistant at Gladsmuir firm, Alba Trees.
He said: “I was quite nervous about how I would look after the haircut and shave, but I needn’t have worried.
“To be honest, I wish I had done it earlier. It feels great and I love my new look.
“I will definitely be keeping it.”
He added: “I would like to thank Dean McCluskey for getting in touch with Macmillan Cancer Research and organising sponsorship forms, balloons and t-shirts, and also the two nurses who came along.”
The fundraising stunt was backed by Anne-Marie Downie, the assistant manager at the pub, who removed his facial hair.
“It takes years off him – it definitely suits him,” she commented.
“At first it was a bit of a shock to see him minus his hair, but I think we will all soon get used to the new-look Jimmy Robertson.”
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