Local volunteer, Jason Preston, set himself a very hairy challenge last February, and pledged to go without shaving his beard for a whole year. All he asked for was £1 sponsorship from everyone he knew and met throughout the year.

During the year, he has dyed his beard various colours for different events – including decorating it at Christmas.

Jason undertook this crazy challenge to raise funds for local young person’s social club, Radstock Juniors, a social group for young people with a learning disability, who meet every Tuesday and take part in lots of fun activities. The club is part of Keynsham and District Mencap Society, a self-funding charity that recently celebrated forty years.

After a whole year of not shaving, Jason has finally had his beard removed. He was joined by some of the children and young people from the Radstock group, who cheered him on. Special thanks goes to Diamond Scissors barbers in Radstock for staying open late for the big shave-off. Jason raised over £1,100 with this hair-raising challenge, with the money going a long way to providing new and exciting activities that will broaden the horizons of the members of the club.

Jason is an avid supporter of the society, and in particular Radstock Juniors. He is a fierce fundraiser and so far, he has taken part in sponsored bike rides from Midsomer Norton to Weston, from Midsomer Norton to Brean, and the Prudential 100 mile bike ride in London. Most recently, he held a fundraising disco party! Since 2013, Jason has raised over £4,600 for the club.

If you would like to know more about the clubs that are run by Keynsham and District Mencap, get involved, be it either volunteering or raising funds, please email: [email protected]