movember

Jimmy letting go of Beard

/ koalabeard / 2 Comments
Published in the Wangaratta Chronicle 14th Jan 2019 

Jimmy letting go of Beard

Aussie spirit on show for men’s health

  • Wangaratta Chronicle
  • BY LEAH ANDERSON-BYRNE LAndersonByrne@ nemedia.com.au
PHOTO: Leah Anderson-Byrne
SHAVE IT OFF: Local Jimmy Ladgrove will be shaving off his five year old beard on Australia Day this year, to raise money and awareness for men’s health. The shave will be held at his family’s pub, The Vine Hotel, starting at 3pm.

AUSTRALIA Day activities won’t just involve a barbecue and drinks for local Jimmy Ladgrove, who will be shaving goodbye to his beard after five years.

The 28 year old has returned for the summer after four years in the United Kingdom to work at his family owned and operated pub, The Vine Hotel, and raise money and awareness for men’s health with his big beard shave.

“The beard was always going to come off for charity it was just a matter of time,” he said.

“It’s coming up to five years since I started to grow it, and it will also be 10 years since my friend took his own life in Albury.

“Now we’re connected more than ever and I’m hearing a lot of reports about the alarming rate of suicides in Australia, especially on the border.

“These deaths don’t just affect small communities now, they can ripple across the world instantly with people more than ever sharing their grief and searching for help online.

“In my travels over the years I’ve met a lot of men struggling with their mental health and I believe now is the time for me to be part of a change and raise awareness.

“I’ve made the most of my whiskers creating a following of thousands on my social media while taking part in four reality shows in the UK and my beard fans and family were shocked at my announcement, but what’s really shocking to me is the alarming rate of men struggling with their mental health.”

Jimmy’s shave is aiming to raise awareness and get people talking.

“I’d like to be an example that whatever you’re going through you can start clean, whether that be moving to a new country or city, taking the leap of faith and changing career paths, or simply choosing to grow a beard,” he said.

“The funds raised will go to tackling men’s health on a global scale, which includes improving mental health for men and boys in rural and remote Australia.

“This is important to me because I have my father, three brothers and seven nephews living on the border and I’d like them to be a part of a healthy, resilient community.

“I’d like to do what I can to reduce the stigma and improve the understanding of mental health problems.”

The great shear off will be at The Vine Hotel on Australia Day at 3pm with the shave set for 5pm and a $5000 fundraising goal.

Jimmy has already sold over 100 tickets at $10 for the event, get yours at https://www.facebook.com/ events/2051626831561547/ or http://www.trybooking. com/458001, or to donate, go to https://uk.movember.com/ mospace/13908970.

#ShaveTheDate #Movember

/ koalabeard / Leave a comment

You can donate here .

https://mobro.co/jimmyladgrove

I started growing my beard in Australia 5 years ago and together we’ve been through the highs and lows that come with life. Beards are known to be a mans most personal possession & I’m proud of the dedication, patience and perseverance it has taken me grow such a magnificent one. Having gone through the grief that comes with losing a friend through suicide, I am doing my bit to promote mental health and wellbeing & help reduce the stigma surrounded by it. I’m brave enough to admit that I’ve held things in when going through hard times. I have suffered with anxiety & at times rather than opening up to my mates, I would open a bottle instead.

Suicide is the leading cause of young deaths in the UK, 75% of which are men. In Australia it remains the leading cause of death for people aged between 15 and 44. Globally, the rate of suicide is alarmingly high, Too many men are ‘toughing it out’, keeping their feelings to themselves and struggling in silence. The Movember Foundation is aiming to reduce the rate of male suicide by 25% by 2030, and I want to help them get there. Help me stop men dying too young. In Australia 85 per cent of the population know someone who has died by suicide. From the tradies, doctors, farmers to the members of our LGBTI communities, many have died because they didn’t know how to ask for support when they needed it most. They could see no end to the pain they were living, other than to die. The stereotype that most Aussie males struggle to live up to: The tough, unflinching and unemotional bloke who loves being with his mates and can drink like a sailor. When he’s feeling the pinch, he keeps it to himself. Many Australian & British men are not good at dealing with poor mental health and unfortunately this tips them into a downward spiral of hopelessness, poor decision making and poor resilience to day to day life stresses. SOMETHING’S GOTTA CHANGE. Talk, Ask, Listen, Encourage action, Check in!