A POPULAR North Berwick firefighter is taking part in a sponsored head shave for charity after he was diagnosed with cancer – and his story has inspired 16 others to join him.
Dave Kerr, who has always lived in the town and went to the local schools, has worked at North Berwick Fire Station for the past 27 years, starting his career there in March 1993.
Prior to this he was in the army, serving in the Royal Engineers from 1977 to 1989.
Dave – who has two sons, Grant and Steven – also works as a night porter at The Pine Marten in Dunbar.
In February the 59-year-old was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of bone marrow cancer that can affect several areas of the body.
Dave, of St Andrew Street, said the news of his diagnosis came as a shock as he was generally a fit and healthy man who was rarely unwell.
The week after his diagnosis, he started radiation treatment, followed by three rounds of monthly chemotherapy at the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh.
Once this has been completed, in about three weeks’ time, he will undergo a stem cell transplant to finish his treatment.
Dave knew he was going to lose his hair due to his treatment and wanted to take control of that. He was also inspired by Macmillan Cancer Support’s ‘Brave the Shave’.
During his treatment, he and his wife Karen have received support from The Fire Fighters Charity and Dave decided that if he was going to shave his head he was going to raise some money at the same time and give back to the charity.
Karen said of The Fire Fighters Charity: “They have helped us and helped with so many different things.
“Dave said that if he was going to do it then he would do it and give something back to them.”
The Fire Fighters Charity provides rehabilitation and support services for firefighters, including serving and retired firefighters, fire service personnel and their families.
However, Dave will not be braving the clippers alone.
When he and Karen mentioned the shave to their family, it inspired Dave’s brother-in-law George Logan, Dave’s son Grant, Karen’s dad Norrie Greig, and Dave’s friend and best man from his wedding Ian Marr to take part.
And they will also be joined in shaving their heads by 11 crew members from North Berwick Fire Station and two members of staff from The Pine Marten.
One of the firefighters taking part is Stephanie Brash, the only woman in the group.
A target of £500 was initially set and, with that met in a few days, it was then doubled to £1,000, with more than £900 raised so far.
Among those donating were the fire crew from East Linton, who wished Dave the best, and Steve Gourlay, area commander for Midlothian, East Lothian and Scottish Borders, who said “the whole Scottish Fire and Rescue Service family is with you on this one”.
Since sharing the news of the shave on social media, Karen said: “A lot of people from Dunbar and North Berwick… the messages they leave have been amazing and we’ve got some lovely comments.”
The group are going to be shaving their heads in a socially distanced fashion at North Berwick Fire Station on August 26 at 7.30pm.
Amanda Ramsay from Ewen’s Barbers in North Berwick, who is also David’s usual hairdresser, will be in charge of the clippers.
To donate, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/david-kerr59
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