Almost $15,000 raised at Baan Baa Beer and Beardy Bash

The Railway Hotel’s Beer and Beardy Bash in Baan Baa on Friday, November 11, has been declared a success after raising almost $15,000.

The drawcard of the evening was the beard shave of pub regular Stu Beckett.

Railway Hotel owner Judy Maunder had challenged Mr Beckett to shave his beard for the cause. He agreed, but only if at least $10,000 could be raised for charity.

The result well surpassed that amount, with more than $11,000 raised towards Movember.

More than $3000 was also raised to be donated towards the Childhood Cancer Association – a cause close to Mr Beckett’s heart as his young grandson has just recently completed treatment for leukaemia.

“I was happy to lose the beard for such a good cause,” Mr Beckett said.

“It was a good night. I’m glad I did it.”

Robert Montgomery, Stuart Beckett and James Shepherd pictured before Stuart was shaved. Robert Montgomery, Stuart Beckett and James Shepherd pictured before Stuart was shaved.

Robert Montgomery, James Shepherd, Chris Shoobert and Stuart Beckett. Robert Montgomery, James Shepherd, Chris Shoobert and Stuart Beckett.

Rex Malone and Logan Pike. Rex Malone and Logan Pike.

Judy Maunder and Leonie Grumley. Judy Maunder and Leonie Grumley.

Brice, Dolcie, Jayk, Taiyah, Josie and Kara Malone. Brice, Dolcie, Jayk, Taiyah, Josie and Kara Malone.

Tayla Thompson and Lucy Peters. Tayla Thompson and Lucy Peters.

Dane Lahey and Bryce Eather. Dane Lahey and Bryce Eather.

Anne Wilmott and Anthony Roach. Anne Wilmott and Anthony Roach.

April and Daniel Hicks from Cessnock. April and Daniel Hicks from Cessnock.

Lilly McMillan, Isabell Gaffney and Annie Gordon. Lilly McMillan, Isabell Gaffney and Annie Gordon.

Mitch Shields and Kurt Bassett. Mitch Shields and Kurt Bassett.

The shave was the first since September 11, 1979, for Mr Beckett – he remembers the date so vividly as he had been taken to hospital in Sydney after fracturing his back in two places.

Before this, he had started to grow a beard as a young man working on the Chaffey Dam project in mid-1970s.

Mr Beckett’s son Marty had the shaving honours on Friday night.

“Marty said he has waited all his life to do this,” Mr Beckett said.

Railway Hotel manager Paige Cassidy thanked everyone who supported the fundraiser on behalf of the Railway Hotel owners, the Maunder family.

“We were really happy with the outcome,” she said.

“It was a big deal to have Stu shave his beard off.

“The night went off really well … the whole community always gets around and supports us.”