In a touching tribute to two friends undergoing treatment for prostate cancer, kind-hearted local Bird Keeper Chris Green has raised an impressive £2,500 for Prostate Cancer UK by shaving off half his beard and half his hair, a daring look known as the “halfsie.”
The beloved keeper, known across the Park and social media for his signature beard, took on the quirky challenge during Men’s Health Week, drawing a crowd of colleagues, visitors, and one curious penguin, to support the cause.
“This is a charity close to my heart,” said Chris, “as unfortunately two of my friends are currently receiving treatment for this disease. Prostate Cancer UK have been such an incredible support during their time of need, I really wanted to do something to raise funds for such an amazing and life-changing charity”.
Originally hoping to raise £500, Chris exceeded his goal fivefold. Visitors, friends, and staff rallied behind him, donating generously during the event held beside the Penguin Pool, where JJ the penguin, whom Chris helped hand-rear in 2007, stayed faithfully by his side throughout.
Even more impressively, Chris’ freshly shaved hair and beard clippings are now being repurposed as bedding for the Park’s rodent residents, giving his act of generosity an extra eco-friendly twist.
A Familiar Face for a Worthy Cause
Chris has been a much-loved face at Cotswold Wildlife Park for 18 years and is no stranger to community efforts and his willingness to support good causes. He previously raised over £2,000 for Make-A-Wish Foundation with a similar ‘half shave’ in 2016.
He also once donned a full penguin costume for “Dream night at the Zoo,” an after-hours charity event for seriously ill children children with life-limiting conditions.
He was also named Oxfordshire Cotswolds Tourism Superstar in 2014 and was a national finalist in 2015.
“We’re so grateful for the innovative support of Chris”, said Chris Jarrett, Director of Fundraising at Prostate Cancer UK “who for many years has been a passionate supporter of many great causes. We’re told he never does things by halves, so this hair-raising challenge is fitting and will certainly make him hard to miss! We thank him and Cotswold Wildlife Park for raising crucial funds and amazing awareness too. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and an early diagnosis can save your life. Chris’ story illustrates just why more men need to be aware of the risk of prostate cancer. Men are at higher risk if they are over 50, Black or have a father or brother who has had prostate cancer. Anyone with concerns should visit the charity’s online risk checker.”
A Life-Saving Message
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. 1 in 8 men in the UK will get prostate cancer during their lifetime. The earlier it’s detected, the better the outcome, but many men experience no symptoms in the early stages.
Men over 50, those with a family history, or men of Black heritage are at higher risk. Visit prostatecanceruk.org/risk-checker to check your risk in just 30 seconds.
You can still help Chris smash his target into oblivion, and his donation page will remain open for several weeks at: justgiving.com/page/chris-green-2 so you can help support the superstar.
To find out more about Prostate Cancer UK or speak confidentially to a specialist nurse, call 0800 074 8383 or visit prostatecanceruk.org.
Cotswold Wildlife Park opens daily from 10am. For visitor information: cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk
