Some people will go to great heights for a good shave, especially JP Randles of the Galway Flying Club who sacrificed his crowning glory last Friday, May 23, while flying in a Cessna 172 one mile high over Galway city to raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society.
The ‘Mile High Shave’, organised by the Galway Flying Club (GFC ), is part of the Today FM Shave or Dye Campaign 2014 which raises much needed funds for the Irish Cancer Society. Taking up the challenge was GFC club member JP Randles who underwent an expert head shave by John McGuire of Fat Tony’s Barber Shop in the club’s Cessna 172 light aircraft. According to Mr Randles the day started well with the event being mentioned on Galway Bay FM and on the Ray D’Arcy Show on Today FM. With the skill of pilot Jarlath Conneely and a break in the weather, the Cessna 172 took off from Galway Airport and headed west over the city, climbing to the target altitude.
“We levelled off at An Spidéil. John and I then set up for the shave which was completed in no time. John did a great job considering it was his first time in a light aircraft. With the shave complete, we headed back to the airport and history was made - the first head shave to be performed in a light aircraft had been successfully done over Galway,” said Mr Randles, who then thanked the staff at Covidien Galway and the members of Galway Flying Club for their support. Other crew members on the day included Galway Flying Club members Daniel Varszegi (photographer ), James Prendergast (operations ), Marian Stenson (fire cover ), and Tony Carty (fire cover ), as well as videographer Nigel O’Brien of Libran Pictures.
Anyone who wishes to donate to this great cause can still do so by visiting mycharity.ie and searching for The Mile High Shave.
