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Bird Keeper's 'Halfsie' Haircut Raises £2,500 for Prostate Cancer UK

Bird Keeper’s Charity Shave Raises £2,500 for Prostate Cancer UK

Cotswold Wildlife Park’s Bird Keeper Chris Green has raised an incredible £2,500 for Prostate Cancer UK by shaving off half his hair and beard — a bold ‘halfsie’ challenge to support two close friends currently undergoing treatment.

Timed during Men’s Health Week, Chris’ stunt highlights that 1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer — the most common cancer in men. “This is a charity close to my heart... I wanted to raise funds for such an amazing and life-changing charity,” said Chris.

Chris is known for his impressive beard, which gained attention on social media. After nine months growing it, he shocked colleagues and visitors by allowing Penguin Keeper Laura to give him the chop beside the Penguin Pool — under the watchful gaze of JJ the Penguin, who has known Chris since 2007.

Chris Jarrett, Director of Fundraising at Prostate Cancer UK, praised the effort: “We’re so grateful for the innovative support of Chris… This hair-raising challenge is fitting and will certainly make him hard to miss!”

Chris’ clippings will be repurposed as bedding for the Park’s rodents. His ‘halfsie’ has drawn attention from curious visitors and raised over 500% of his original £500 goal. “I'm now half the hairy man I used to be but thrilled we’ve helped raise funds and awareness for this life-saving charity,” said Chris.

Chris has worked at the Park for 18 years and has supported many causes — from donning a penguin suit for “Dreamnight At The Zoo” to becoming Oxfordshire Cotswolds Tourism Superstar in 2014.

The donation page remains open: Support Chris Green

Explore Gloucestershire
14 June 2025

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