A BARMAN from East Lancashire is to have his back, armpits and chest waxed in front of a live audience - but it's all for a good cause.
Stephen Simkin, from Chatburn, is getting ready to endure a night of waxing pain at The Blackbull Inn on Bridge Road, where he works as a Barman.
He will be donating all money raised to The Foundation for Ribble Valley Families, where he recently received mental health counselling.
Stephen, 47, has been suffering with mental health and anxiety issues and reached out to NHS mental health services for help.
However, Stephen decided to pursue counselling at The Foundation for Ribble Valley Families after he was put on a six month waiting list.
He said: “I’ve been having some counselling because I’ve been having problems with my mental health recently.
“I’ve been on a waiting list for six months and still haven’t been considered for services.
“Currently, there is an epidemic of mental health issues, especially with men.
“I owe a lot to The Foundation for Ribble Valley Families. They helped me get my head straight, I joined gym and started working behind a bar.”
Stephen decided to raise money by waxing his body, after people made comments about his chest hair.
He said: “I was in the pub an someone was going on at me about my chest hair.
“People were saying I looked like a silverback gorilla.
“I’ve never been waxed before and I am getting a bit anxious thinking about it now… but I’ve got sponsors now so I can’t back out.”
A beauty therapist will be putting the hot wax to good use on Saturday 4 June, on the same night as the pub’s quiz.
The quiz will be teams of 2-4 people and £5 per person - there will be a cash prize for the winning team.
Stephen said: “I have a professional waxer in now. I might introduce a lucky dip where you pay extra to decide which body part gets waxed.”
Stephen has set up a JustGiving page to help his fundraising efforts and he has raised over £400 so far.
He said: “£400 is unbelievable, especially as the fundraiser has only been up for a few days.
“I will be grateful with whatever I can raise but it would be nice to make it to £1000.”
You can donate to Stephen’s JustGiving page by visiting the website: www.justgiving.com
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