Repton Student Connor Phillips to Shave Head for Charity
Article by Afshan Ahmed
20 December 2009
DUBAI — Connor Phillips is humoured by friends for single handedly ‘saving’ the red head population at school.
The Grade 10 student at Repton in Dubai, whose unruly red ringlets have become his trademark, is inviting the public to shave it off in front of the entire school on Monday to support the underprivileged in Uganda.
“Last year I participated in a debate where I was asked to choose something that I would place in a balloon that was plummeting to earth,” he said.
“I chose red heads because I am one. Ever since, I’ve been famous for my hair, so I thought shaving it off will attract a lot of attention.”
It has caught the attention he had expected from students, teachers and corporate sponsors like the Jens Hair Studio in Dubai, allowing him to secure more than Dhs2,300 for charity already.
The entire initiative will be recorded and uploaded for TV channels in Australia and UK to portray the spirit of the youth of today.
Connor is part of a humanitarian group of 14 students who will visit Kabubbu village in Uganda in April. As part of the mission students need to raise funds that will go towards the rehabilitation and construction of facilities for the inhabitants of the village.
“We will be staying with a family to ascertain their needs.
Accordingly we will help build houses and schools or simply provide them with basics things like mosquito nets,” Connor said.
The community service is organised by a UK based charity, Quicken Trust that works to improve the standard of living of the people in Kabubbu. Repton also sponsors the education of two children in the village.
Raising funds for the mission is imperative and Connor hopes he can garner a packed audience at the event that takes place on the school grounds at 12:45.
“The Head of Seniors will be the first in line to shave my hair down the middle,” he said.
“Anyone else who attends and donates Dhs100 or more can shave a bit of my head themselves. Hopefully, we will have many more takers.”
His mother, Sharon believes such initiatives are an opportunity for her son to make a difference and bring to light causes that the community can support. Connor has also organised a movie night in January to raise funds for the cause.
“With this trip to Kabubbu, Connor will get to do a lot of community service, make new friends and understand different cultures,” she said.
“Such experiences will help shape his future.”