TWO colleagues have proved a cut above the rest to help raise funds for life-saving equipment.

Father and son Colin and Gary Hara, who work at Morrisons in Malton took part in a sponsored beard shave and body wax to raise money towards a defibrillator for the store.

Pam Friend, the store’s community champion, said: “Colin and Gary volunteered to have a beard shaved off and a body wax raising £800 towards a £1,500 target. This was from donations from our customers and sponsorship from the staff. A massive thank you to all who took part and helped organise the event, especially Sarah Lettin and Richard Brookes who did the shaving and waxing.”

Meanwhile, a defibrillator has been provided at Lady Lumley’s School in Pickering by the Rob Stephenson Trust.

Robert Stephenson, who was 21 and lived in Pickering, was knocked down and killed during a night out in York in March last year. Following his death, Rob’s family set up the Rob Stephenson Trust to help young people.

Dave Mann, Lady Lumley’s first aid trainer, said: “It is a great thing to have in a rural area as it offers immediate help.

“Training is to be provided to all staff and students in how to use the defibrillator over the next few months, in the case of an emergency.”

Student Abbie Hodgson said: “I think it is good to a have defibrillator in our school because we don’t have a hospital very close.”

Fellow student Heather Heap said: “It’s easy to use, it is also quick in the case of an emergency. So if a pupils heart was to stop, then a member of staff or a pupil would be able to start their heart, and possibly save a life.”