Braving the Shave

Over the years, 85-year-old Maurice Baren from Haworth has garnered deserved attention for shaving his hair for charity. He’s undeniably admirable, both in the money he has raised and in the way he’s not afraid to look daft so long – as it’s for a good cause. What might seem a simple act has had incredible, far-reaching effects – with Maurice having raised over £80,000 for Action for Children and End Polio Now since his first shave back in 1989.

“I don’t think I was self-conscious the first time I had my whole head shaved; I think I just felt it was going to be some good fun. And that’s the way I’ve viewed it all the way through!” Maurice recounts that as more and more people have gotten involved over the years, his shaves have become more and more extreme, “but it’s all still in good fun as far as I’m concerned. I’m quite prepared to be daft if it helps raise money!

“I’ve had a beard since about 1980,” he explains. “My wife Judith and I had been involved with Action for Children for many years and have previously acted as District Organisers for the fundraising. The organisation had an event commemorating the centenary of the death of Thomas Bowman Stephenson (the founder of the charity) and, in order to raise money, I was convinced to have my beard and moustache shaved off. I thought it would just be a one off at the time!”

I’m quite prepared to be daft if it helps raise money

But the decision to make a tradition of the shave came sooner than Maurice had expected. “I remember there being a local charity event that managed to get Bonnie Langford involved, and I was reminded how I’d previously agreed to have my head totally shaved. On that occasion we raised about £1,000!”

Maurice was also keen to explain his love of horticulture, something he has continuously devoted himself to over the years. His work with Britain in Bloom has led to some amazing opportunities to judge across the UK and Europe, but the most exciting moment came 10 years ago, when he was asked to be flown out to Montreal as a judge for Canada’s Communities in Bloom – “I’d certainly have been daft to turn that opportunity down!”

The event inadvertently had a huge impact on Maurice’s charity work. A bust with grass for hair inspired the ingenious idea to dye Maurice’s hair before being shaven. Bright colours have been a staple of his shaves ever since, with Maurice most recently sporting a brilliantly bold pink and green for the last shave in October 2022. “I more or less left the colour of my hair to my hairdressers,” he laughs, “it really was great fun – plus I couldn’t object once they were halfway through! Everyone in the salon had a hoot of a time seeing me get all dolled up!”

His nails also get done for the occasion. What started out as a purple fingernail (to commemorate the purple fingernail that marks if a child has been vaccinated against Polio in many South Asian villages) swiftly evolved into a bright set of all different colours. Once again, Maurice gives his manicurist free reign to decorate him in whatever way they want, “I probably wouldn’t have it as an everyday look, but if they want to have some fun with me, I’m more than happy for it to be done!

“I don’t mind what they do, just as long as it encourages people to give! And ultimately, it’s not about the shave, it’s about what good we can do with the money we have raised.

“Through letters alone we have raised over £11,000,” Maurice explains, “and then the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in the USA put £2 to every pound we raised for polio – it’s incredible.” In total, for both Action for Children and End Polio Now, Maurice’s most recent shave raised a staggering £26,000 – an incredible number, but one which pales in comparison to the astounding £80,000 Maurice’s shaves have accumulated over the years.

Everyone in the salon had a hoot of a time seeing me get all dolled up!

Good can – and will – be done with the money that comes from these shaves. Just from the most recent event, over 6,000 children in places like Pakistan and Afghanistan will be able to receive a Polio Vaccine. Where 50 years ago, children were left incapacitated, restricted to iron lungs, malformed, and very often fatally ill, now, thanks to the charitable work of people like Maurice helping to raise funds for vaccines and other forms of protection, children are far less vulnerable, and far more likely to receive the aid they need and deserve.

Maurice also holds hope for the future. “I had said that this recent shave would be my last, but who knows! If I get to 90, and am in a fit state, I don’t see how I could say no to doing it again! Knowing that so much good can be done, I’m quite prepared to go through the hair dying, nail painting, shaving and daftness again – it’s just a case of if I am physically able to do so.”

Maurice is testament to the idea that a seemingly small charitable act can have far-reaching positive effects. What might be seen as a simple shave leaves thousands far less vulnerable than they might have otherwise been, and the importance of that cannot be overstated.

Whilst his shaves may only be every five years, Maurice is eager to emphasise that donations can still be made through contacting the Keighley Rotary Club. Every penny is a valuable tool to support the fight against diseases like Polio.

If you want to give, payments can be made through justgiving.com/fundraising/mauricebaren85headshave

Craven&ValleyLife Winter 2022