ILMINSTER NEWS: Family overwhelmed by head shave support

AN ILMINSTER family has been left stunned after a charity head shave fundraising event to support the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has coined in around £3,500.

It was Greenfylde First School pupil Malachi Hall who came up with the idea of having his long locks shaved off in aid of the air ambulance as a way of thanking the emergency service which did so much to try and save his dad who was sadly killed as a result of a car accident earlier this year.

Malachi was joined in the head shave by his mum Heather and older brother Caleb and the deed was carried out yesterday (Monday, July 25, 2016) outside the Tesco store in Ilminster where further funds were raised with a raffle which boasted a whole host of prizes donated by local firms, organisations and individuals.

None of the “victims” smiled too much during the ordeal of having their heads shaved, but they knew they were doing it in memory of a much-loved dad and husband and they were raising a stack of cash for the air ambulance.

PHOTO - TOP: Mum Heather with son Malachi following his head shave.

PHOTO - RIGHT: Paul Hall who died as a result of injuries sustained in a car crash earlier this year. He would have been very proud of his family's fundraising efforts.

A large crowd of well-wishers and supporters gathered outside Tesco as first Malachi had his head shaved by Sarah Pas, then Heather had her turn with Laura Lewis operating the shaver and then came Caleb who kept hold of his pony tail which was cut off by his mum. Heather’s step-daughter’s partner, Liam Hamblin, also had his head shaved as part of the event.

Paul Hall died following a two-vehicle crash on the B3168 near Seavington St Michael, on the outskirts of Ilminster, which happened at around 7.45am on Monday, April 25, 2016.

Mr Hall was airlifted to Southmead Hospital in Bristol by air ambulance, but sadly died as a result of the injuries he had sustained.

But son Malachi wanted to do something to support the people who tried to save his dad’s life and so he planned the sponsored head shave.

Mum Heather told Ilminster Press: “We are still counting up everything which has been raised, but I think it will be close to £3,500 which is amazing - I never thought it would be possible.

“I’m so proud of my two boys and Paul would have been so proud as well.”

Heather said she would like to thank, on behalf of the family, everyone who has not only supported them with prizes, sponsorship and donations in aid of the air ambulance, but also to those who have been there for them following the untimely death of Mr Hall.

A Just Giving website page has been set up at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Heather-Hall3?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=fundraisingpage&utm_content=Heather-Hall3&utm_campaign=pfp-share for people wanting to donate on-line.

PHOTO - ABOVE: Mum Heather with sons Malachi, left, and Caleb before the head shave at Tesco in Ilminster yesterday (July 25, 2016).

PHOTOS - ABOVE: Malachi has his head shaved outside the Tesco store in Ilminster.

PHOTOS - ABOVE: Mum Heather has her head shaved.

PHOTOS - ABOVE: Caleb's turn for the head shave treatment!

PHOTO - ABOVE: Heather and Malachi combine forces to give Liam Hamblin a head shave.

PHOTO - ABOVE: Heather, Malachi and Caleb following the head shave.

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