WARRINGTON Freemason Eric Main looks like a new man…and after 42 years of marriage his wife Lynda hardly recognises him.
For the first time ever Lynda has seen Eric without his big bushy beard.
Eric decided to have his beard shaved off to raise money in memory of Private Tom Sephton of the 1st Battalion Mercian Regiment who died from injuries sustained in Afghanistan. His sponsored shave is already guaranteed to raise more than £600 and there is still some cash to come in.
Tom lived only a few yards away from Eric’s home in Formby Drive, Penketh, Warrington. When they first met Tom was a small boy and christened him “Eric the Viking” because of his beard.
Eric said that because the regiment had been so good to Tom’s family he wanted to do something for it in memory of Tom and will donate the money raised to the regiment’s welfare fund.
“”Tom was such a great lad,” said Eric. “We watched him grow up and his death is such a tragedy.”
Eric could not think of anything more appropriate than a sponsored beard shave which all his family, friends and neighbours could not believe as they had never seen him without facial hair.
After seeing her clean-shaven husband for the first time Lynda said: “Seeing him at first was a big shock but I think he looks a lot younger without the beard. I don’t know if he will grow it again.”
Among those watching Eric have his beard shaved off was Tom’s father, Ian, who said: “It is really great of him to do this. When he said he was going to have his beard shaved off I could not believe it.”
Eric, who is a member of St Oswald Lodge No 5170, said he would like to thanks all friends, neighbours and Freemason who had sponsored him adding that a very large proportion of the total had come from Masons.
Eric had his beard shaved off at the Shearing Shed on Honiton Way, Penketh, by Tony Warburton who declined taking his usual fee for a shave and instead gave Eric £10 to further boost the total.
Pictures show Eric arriving at the Shearing Shed to have his beard shaved off, half way there and a kiss from his wife
Going, going, gone in memory of Tom
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About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
