A well known Newport barber has raised over £2,000 for the Cottage Care Centre from a collection box in his shop.
Jon Jackson, who is affectionately known throughout the town as ‘Jon the Barber,’ started the collection back in December 1999 and has now raised a staggering £2,045 from customer donations.
The total is the largest the Cottage Care Centre has received from an individual box.
Jon said: “I’m always telling my customers to donate any small change that they can. I’ve had the same box all this time – I won’t change it, it’s my lucky box.
“The Newport Cottage Care Centre does so much for the local community and a lot of my customers use it so this is my way of giving something back to the community.”
Jon’s Barber Shop is based at Barclay’s Bank Chamber and is well known for its museum like layout with lots of barber related antiques decorating the walls.
Jon said: “I couldn’t have done this without all the wonderful support I get from my customers.
“I’ve been a barber here from over 20 years and I love it. My job is more like being part of a social club. I get so much support from my customers who are very loyal and, as this collection shows, very generous.”
Volunteer at Newport Cottage Care Centre, Don Shaw, said: “Since 1999 over 250 different local companies, businesses and individuals have at some time been collecting donations in charity boxes for the Newport Cottage Care Centre.
“Often people may just put in a few pence but this has all added up to reach a staggering total of £17,000.
“Jon the Barber, with the help of his customers, has now collected over £2,000.
“it just goes to show that with everyone making a small contribution the results can be great.
“The Newport Cottage Care Centre would like to thank everyone who has donated over the years and a big thanks for Jon who has looked after his charity box for all these years.”
By Joseph Masi