As it was almost ten years since Mike had died, his cousin Sara (my niece) decided she wanted to do something in his memory, but couldn’t think what to do.

Barney (a friend) suggested that Danny (another friend of Sara’s who had been in the same year at school with her and Mike) had been growing his dreadlocks for the last ten years, and wanted them cutting off – so why not do it for Mike and CRY? What better tribute!

What a night! Allan and I arrived at the White Swan in Kirkbymoorside at about a quarter to eight, to find the pub already bursting at the seams. It was good to see so many of Mike’s friends from school and sport, and they greeted us as if it were only yesterday since we last saw them.

It made our night when Hadleigh (Mike’s best friend) turned up with his fiancée and two more of Mike’s mates; Simon and Sarah – these lovely young people made a journey of over an hour to get there.

Eight o’clock arrived and one person was missing – Danny, the young man who was having his dread locks cut off. Poor lad – he hadn’t had his hair cut for almost ten years and he was going to undertake this enormous step in front of all his friends, in the middle of a pub, on a Saturday night!

Sara was getting worried, the word was that no-one had heard from Danny all day.
He wouldn’t answer his text messages or his telephone and he didn’t even turn up for football, not like Danny at all. Then a cheer to lift the roof as he walked in, such a popular young man.

The bar stool was placed on the plastic mat, Sara had her clippers in her hand and the compere struck up – none other than Andy Gamble, local gym owner, one of the lads and an utter nutter to boot.

The atmosphere was electric, Danny sat with his head lowered and Sara chopped off the first lock. Although everyone present had already given generously Andy started selling the locks for a tenner – who else could get away with that?

Every lock brought a huge cheer until the dreaded task was done; Danny looked even more handsome without his locks. What a star man he is. Could you sit and be barracked by all your mates whilst having a long overdue haircut? The night continued with Andy taking charge of the raffle – only he could make it the fun time it was.

We only learnt later on that the pub itself had been so full that people had been queuing outside to get in. Some even had to go away and come back later.

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the night and raised an incredible amount of money, £1898.01. Big thanks must go to Danny, without him the event would
have been a non-starter; Sara for organising it; Andy Gamble for being a fantastic compere (he really should be on television); Tottie for the raffle; Andy Marley for hosting the night in his pub; Donna and Lizzy who worked so hard behind the bar; and everyone who dug deep once again to support Mike and CRY.

The young people of Kirkbymoorside always come up tops, we really appreciate it and can never thank you enough for everything you have done.

Marje Scott