Scottish isolation hairdo challenge to raise funds for farm sector

Thousands of folk across the country have been tempted to try their hand at hairdressing at home due to the closure of professional salons during the Covid-19 lockdown - though not always with the intended results.

People are being asked to try their hand at home-hairdressing while the country is in lockdown and salons are closed to raise money for charity

Now a new charity campaign is urging everyone to get out the scissors and try their hands at coiffuring while cooped up at home and post pictures of the finished dos online.

But it’s not just to provide some welcome entertainment during social distancing, it’s all for a good cause - to raise money for farmers and agricultural workers who are struggling to get by during the pandemic.

And if you’re too chicken to cut your own barnet, and your partner and children won't let you within arm’s length, a pet dog or even a sheep will do just as well.

The Shear Isolation Lockdown Haircut Challenge is the brainchild of Scottish public relations firm Scene & Herd, which specialises in the food, drink and agricultural sector.

“This is not just a challenge for men – ladies can trim their fringe, cut the kids’ hair, give the dog a haircut or even go the whole hogg if they are brave enough,” said Anna Davies, director of Scene & Herd.

All money raised during the campaign will go to three Scottish charities: the Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET), which helps young people develop an understanding of the food system through hands-on learning; RSABI (formerly the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution), dedicated to the relief of hardship and poverty amongst people who have depended for their livelihoods on the land; and the Trussell Trust, a national organisation working to stop UK hunger and poverty.

The inspiration for the campaign came after recent video-conference calls revealed a number of friends and colleagues who were in need of a trim.

Ms Davies, who lives on a farm in East Lothian, added: “Remembering the Ice Bucket Challenge of a few years ago, I had the idea that people could get a haircut and raise money for good causes at the same time.

“Thankfully my husband was happy to be volunteer number one and allowed me to shave his hair off – all for a good cause.

“The video is now online, and we encourage people all over Scotland to get involved too.

“There is no need to wait to be nominated – start your own chain and get shearing now.

“You can be as inventive as you like.”

To get involved, all you have to do is video the process, post to social media using the tag #shearisolation, nominate three friends to do the same and then donate a minimum of £3 to one of the three charities on the Just Giving link at www.justgiving.com/team/shearisolation2.

“Please join in with the #shearisolation challenge so that we can support these great charities during what is a very tough time for many,” she added.