Just Cuts™ Stylists will be part of a hairdressing team hoping to break the official world record for the number of haircuts by a team of people in just eight hours.
Wesley Haircut for homelessness is being held at Sydney’s Martin Place between 9 am and 5 pm on Tuesday 6 August. The Wesley Mission event is aiming to promote the profile of the issue of homelessness and raise much needed funds for homeless people during Homeless Persons’ Week (5-12 August).
Chief sponsor Just Cuts™ are flying in a team of talented Stylists from across the country with the aim of cutting more than 360 heads of hair.
CEO and Founder of Just Cuts™, Denis McFadden, said he was delighted that Just Cuts™ Stylists could be involved in such an epic event.
“While Just Cuts™ is supplying the Stylists and their skills, it is the plight of homeless and marginalised people which is the real story of the day,” Mr McFadden said. “Get involved, get a haircut and help the homeless.”
Sydneysiders can participate by registering for a haircut on-line at wesleymission.org.au or by attending the event on the day. Theose who register on-line will be assured of a preferred time and receive a personalised certificate of appreciation.
To support the occasion, Just Cuts™ will display posters in stores nation-wide; the event will be listed online on the Wesley Mission and Just Cuts™ websites, as well as major Sydney event websites and social media.
The CEO of Wesley Mission the Rev Dr Keith Garner said homeless people were often sensitive about their appearance and were frequently stigmatised and marginalised as a result.
“Apart from raising funds for homeless services, the event will also build community understanding about the relationship between a healthy, positive self-image and the current experience of homeless people,” Dr Garner said.
“Around 100,000 Australians are homeless and 17 per cent of all homeless people are under the age of 12. The success of the event is dependent upon the support of the people of Sydney. That’s why we are encouraging people to book a haircut on-line or attend on the day.”
The criteria set by Guinness requires that event participants have at least eight centimetres of hair at the start of each haircut.
For those unable to participate in the formal record attempt, additional activities will be available such as providing haircuts, fun colours and stencil designs for a donation, and photo opportunities for sharing via social media. Just Cuts™ salons across Australia will also be accepting cash donations until 13 August. Schwarzkopf hair care professionals will independently judge each haircut to ensure it meets the judging criteria.
Schwarzkopf Marketing Director, David Boyd said: "As adjudicators of the world record attempt, Schwarzkopf Professional is not only focused on the haircuts but also on the issue that drives the event. Homelessness in Australia is a serious issue, and the event is a great show of both style and substance in trying to make a difference to the lives of those affected."
The Just Cuts™ Stylist Team
Kelly Simmonds - Whitford WA
Dione Rowlands - Innaloo WA
Kristy Peterson - Werribee VIC
Melissa Dunston - Werribee VIC
Connie Malfone - Canberra Centre ACT
Bernadette Mifsud - Queanbeyan NSW
Annie Ahn - Tuggeranong ACT
Lucia Nesci - Queanbeyan NSW
Niki Katsibrsis - Gungahlin ACT
Samantha Tuff - West Lakes SA
AJ Biswa - Miranda NSW
Santo Burgio - Broadway NSW
Johneen Keen - Eastgardens NSW
Maree Schuster - Tuggerah NSW
Sharyn Buckley - Bateau Bay NSW
Further information:
Graeme Cole, Public Affairs Manager
0408 470 722
graeme.cole@wesleymission.org.au
Wesley Mission background: whether they are young people, adults, families or the aged, Wesley Homeless Services provides a wide range of support services to both the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless. Each night more than 600 people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness are cared for by Wesley Mission through emergency and supported accommodation. Many more are prevented from slipping into homelessness through a range of counselling, mental health, employment and family support services.