Former homeless man to shave off beard to raise money for charity which found him a home

Gav Slater will shave his beard off for charity. Photo: Nigel Adams.

A former homeless man will shave off his beard to ‘give something back’ and raise money for the charity which found him a home.

Gav Slater, 45, a website developer from Chilwell, was made homeless last year after ‘work dried up’ and struggling with anxiety and depression.

And Framework, a Nottingham-based charity and housing association, helped Gav to find temporary accommodation in Arnold and Beeston.

And it has helped Gav to find a permanent flat in Chilwell, where he moved in January.

Gav has had a beard for ‘just under’ two years and will shave it off next month to raise money for the charity.

He said: “I got made homeless last year and Framework sorted me a house in Arnold.

“In Arnold I was there for about four months and then Framework helped to move me back to Beeston where I was before – and I was there until January this year.

“I’m in Chilwell now, I’ve got a council flat in Chilwell, which Framework helped me to sort.

“It’d be nice to give something back to them for what they’ve done for me.”

Gav aims to raise £500 for Framework and another charity, Hope Nottingham.

Hope Nottingham is Christian charity in Beeston and works with local churches and community groups to help people in crisis.

The money raised will be split down the middle.

Gav has raised £75 so far and friends will shave his beard off at Beeston Carnival, Broadgate Park, on July 8.

Gav added: “I’m fed up of getting more food in my beard than in my mouth. Once I put the idea out on Sunday night, and realised all I had to do was take a before and after picture, I wanted to do it.”

Gav has set up a fundraising page where donations can be made.