A new Guinness world record for the number of haircuts conducted in eight hours was set on Monday in an event designed to raise awareness of the homeless.
Sixteen hairdressers from Just Cuts salons around Australia were flown to Sydney where they managed to trim the hair of 409 people within the time limit, breaking the existing world record by 50.
A QUICK SNIP: Jesse, one of Sydney’s homeless, has his hair cut at the Wesley Mission event.
The world record attempt took place in Martin Place between 9am and 5pm was adjudicated by Schwarzkopf professional stylists. Under the criteria set by Guinness, those having their hair cut had to have at least eight centimetres of hair at the start of each cut.
The event – Haircut for Homelessness – was organised by Wesley MIssion as part of their efforts to raise awareness of the issue of homelessness and to raise some funds for the homeless during Homeless Person’s Week which runs from 5th to 12th August.
There are about 100,000 homeless people in Australia with 17 per cent of them aged under 12. Wesley Mission’s homeless services care for about 600 people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness each night through the provision or emergency or supported accommodation.
Thanking the organisers and hairdressers, Rev Dr Keith Garner, the chief executive of the Wesley Mission, said the participants had “been part of something special, especially for those people who are homeless and disadvantaged.”
“You are part of a new world record – something you will remember,” he said. “But those who you have helped will also remember this day long into the future.”
Just Cuts salons across Australia will be accepting cash donations until 13th August or people can donate online at www.wesleymission.org.au/donate.