Cutting edge for hospice in world record attempt

Stacey Warrington is delighted after finishing her bid to break the Guinness world record for the number of haircuts given in 24 hours, despite not reaching the target.

The record is 524 haircuts by an individual in 24 hours. Miss Warrington said she only managed 145 in the time frame because not enough people came through over night.

However, she said those that did come through were very generous with their donations and she was pleased to be able to give more than $600 to the Otago Community Hospice.

Miss Warrington said it was a quiet night and she has only managed to give about 128 haircuts by 9.45am this morning in her Guinness world record attempt.

The 33-year-old said she was keen for as many people as possible, to come in for haircuts at Heff's Lounge Bar, so she could raise as much money as possible for the Otago Community Hospice.

She started at noon yesterday and it was "scissors down" at noon today.

The record of 526 haircuts in 24 hours was achieved by Nabi Salehi of A&N Style Hair Studio, in London, on June 4, 2011. For this record, only men had their hair cut.

Miss Warrington said the main problem she was having  yesterday was finding enough people to create a steady wave of heads needing haircuts.

Stacey Warrington cuts Ange Whelan’s hair at Heff’s Lounge Bar. Photo: Gregor Richardson
Stacey Warrington cuts Ange Whelan’s hair at Heff’s Lounge Bar. Photo: Gregor Richardson

Most hairdressers do up to three or four haircuts per hour, but at her peak, Miss Warrington hoped to do one haircut every 3 to 4 minutes.

She was making "pretty good progress" yesterday afternoon, and a steady line of adults and schoolchildren were coming through.

But it would be quiet overnight, and she hoped the bar would turn into a hive of people this morning, to keep her on track.

She said her wrists and feet were feeling good yesterday afternoon, and she had a good supply of energy drinks, a masseuse and plenty of Deep Heat ointment to keep her going until noon today.

Short back and sides were not the only style on offer, she said.

"I’ve had mostly males come through, but there’s also been quite a few ladies come through. Some of them have wanted a style and I’ve managed to do it if there hasn’t been too much of a line-up.

"As long as I can take a minimum of 2cm off, I’ll be cutting anyone’s hair."

She said the only rules were she must use scissors and clippers for the cut to count.

One of her first haircuts  yesterday was on Sean O’Sullivan, who was full of praise for Miss Warrington’s work.

"She’s done a fantastic job. I think it looks really good. And I’m surprised at how quickly she did it."

Miss Warrington has been a hairdresser for 18 years and has never done anything like this before.

Her main motivation for attempting the world record was to support the Otago Community Hospice, she said.

"I’ve had three family members that have been looked after by the Otago Hospice.

"The Guinness world record would be great, but my main object is to support the Otago Hospice and get as much money for them as I can."

She hoped to deliver about $1000 to the hospice tonight.

john.lewis@odt.co.nz

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