A SALE barber brought the best in his industry, health professionals, musicians, caterers, fundraisers and recovery specialists together for a truly heart-warming event for Manchester’s homeless community.
Skullfades Foundation was set up by Skullfades Barber Shop owner Ged King earlier this year.
Working with city champions Mancunian Tribe Series and addiction coaches at Emerging Futures, the foundation started out cutting hair on the streets and evolved into making a real difference to the homeless community.
A homeless man at the event on Sunday. Credit: Mancunian Tribe Series
The charity’s support network has grown significantly and on Sunday, Ged organised a bumper day in the city centre.
Fourteen barbers from around the country, including Welsh Barber of the Year Tariq Howes and barber for the homeless Ian Hoyos, came to cut hair at the event.
Aldi in Burnage donated food for Coffee for Craig’s street kitchen, as did Super Foods in Timperley, independent pharmacist Jas Gallon treated ailments, Altrincham-based Omega Glasses Factory Outlet gave out free glasses, Emerging Futures offered addiction advice, and Ash Farm donated Swiss Candles to keep guests warm.
Stretford band Prose, who have written a song for the foundation, also performed and Mancunian Tribe Series documented the day.
The barbers who came from across the UK to help out on Sunday. Credit: Mancunian Tribe Series
Ged said: “It was an amazing, we couldn’t have asked for a better day. We just lined up and let them come to each of us for what they needed. One man hadn’t taken his shoes or socks off for a year so we got some money from donations we have collected in the shop and got him some new ones.
“It was quite an overwhelming and emotional day.”
Ged also distributed rucksacks donated as part of the Skullfades’ winter appeal. Around 100 rucksacks filled with essentials such as sleeping bags, trousers, coats, thermals, tins of food, razors, and sanitary products were collected.
Around 50 homeless men and women turned up on the day.
As well as the rucksacks, they also received a present to open on Christmas Day.
Around 100 rucksacks, filled with sleeping bags and other essentials, were collected as part of the foundation's winter appeal. Credit: Mancunian Tribe Series
“We told some people about the event but a lot of people turned up because of word of mouth, hearing from other homeless people,” said Ged.
“What was really beautiful to see was that they were taking stuff from the rucksack and swapping, happy to help each other out. A lot of these guys are proud and feel bad about being helped.
"They would say, no I have one of those, give it to someone who really needs it – these people have nothing in the world and they are still thinking about someone else. But they are grateful and genuine, you can see they really care.”
Remaining resources from the day will be donated to homeless charities Coffee for Craig and Barnabus.
To make a donation to the Skullfades Foundation, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ged-king. Anyone who would like to get involved with the charity’s work, contact Ged on 0161 973 0184 or message Skullfades on Facebook.
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