Golf captain has close shave for charity

Jon Hawkins, who turned 42 last Saturday, raisedthe sum after taking the chop at Donnington Grove Country Club’s members’ Christmas ball.
The money will be split equally between the mens and ladies captain’s two chosen charities – Sebastian’s Action Trust for very sick children and their families and the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund.
Mr Hawkins, who used to play football for AFC Newbury, said: “It is a bit cold and was certainly a shock when I went back on to the course with no hair, but it has come back quite quickly.
“The wife wasn’t too keen to start with, but I think it’s started to grow on her.
"The kids and my mates like patting and stroking my head.
“I really wanted to do something to help my charity and to be able to do so through something as simple as shaving my hair off is incredible.
“Sebastian’s Action Trust is an amazing charity and one that I have a personal connection with. Sebastian’s parents were at the event and they are very inspiring people.
“I visited the centre last year and couldn’t help but get emotional.
"I don’t like to see children suffer and after seeing what the charity did, it was clear to me that was the one I wanted to support.
“I decided a few months ago that I was going to do it, but I wanted to keep it a surprise and just about managed it.”
Sebastian’s Action Trust was set up in memory of Sebastian Gates, who was diagnosed with Wilm’s tumour, a rare form of childhood cancer in June 2001, at the age of seven, and died on Christmas Eve 2003.
The trust has created the UK’s only purpose-built facility that offers respite holidays to very sick children and their families, enabling precious time to be spent together.
The charity also gives practical support in many different forms to children battling with life-limiting illnesses and provides assistance to families dealing with the stresses of hospital life and their child’s treatment.