While most people were making their mark in polling stations today (Thursday May 5, 2016), members of the claims department at Alan Boswell Group used the date to make a statement of their own.
They were launching the first in the company's year of fund-raising events to raise more than £25,000 to benefit the county's cancer patients, with a "beard-off".
Mark Davenport, claims manager and Paul Cole, senior claims adviser, bid farewell to their beloved beards in gentlemen's grooming barbershop Swagger and Jacks where the traditional method of cut throat shaving took about 75 minutes. Claims handler Anthony Lehman also had his head shaved at the St Benedict's Street shop, with all tonsorial services donated by owner Mark Young.
For Mr Davenport, the loss of his distinctive carefully groomed beard is quite a talking point around the office. One sponsorship is conditional on his being clean shaven for at least six months; while at home, his 12 year old daughter is in for a surprise, when he returns home tonight …she has not seen his chin since she was two years' old!
The idea for the event came from Anthony whose mum Elaine was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year. He saw a leaflet challenging men to shave off their hair and thought this would inspire his colleagues. Asked if his mum approved of the challenge, he said she loved fun and laughter so definitely. The family is awaiting the outcome of the early diagnosis, which comes months after her retirement from Leeway Women's Refuge, and is optimistic for her recovery.
For Mr Cole, he is thinking winter might be a bit chilly!
Every one of the 220 employees across Boswells' six Norfolk and Suffolk offices, has been challenged by the directors to raise at least £100 to support Big C, Norfolk's cancer charity, who staff voted to be it's charity of the year.
Marketing manager Lee Boswell said: "The company is a big supporter of Big C having sponsored both its ladies and gent's golf days for the past 20 years.
"We'll also look to raise funds though our annual 7-a-side corporate football tournament at Carrow Road, dress down days and other fund-raising challenges for the charity. This year it is slightly different. We will all be taking part. Each member of staff can chose his or her challenge and already the initiative has become a talking point in the office. The entire staff is linked by a team page on JustGiving which totals the efforts as we go and is stimulating ideas. This way we can all see how much we have made and how far off we are from the target.
"Some of the directors and staff will be participating in the Bullards Tour De Norfolk at the Norfolk showground in September, taking up the challenge of the new 35mile circuit whilst a couple of hardy souls are going the full distance and have pledged to ride 100 miles!" he said.