ZOO FAN IN TIGER CHARITY HEAD SHAVE!
1 November 2013
by Visit Blackpool
A Blackpool Zoo super fan has had all her hair shaved off to raise money for her favourite animals.
Lynne Gorrie, who has very limited use of the right side of her body following a devastating brain haemorrhage 30 years ago when she was just 27, did the deed on Halloween and will donate all the money she has raised to 21st Century Tiger.
Her favourite two zoo animals are Zambar and Alyona the critically endangered Amur Tigers and Lynne spends all her free time at Blackpool Zoo taking amazing pictures of them.
Katie Mayor, who is a stylist at the Preston Jo and Cass Hair and Beauty Salon, volunteered to shave Lynne’s head after hearing about her years of fundraising for 21st Century Tiger, which supports projects to help all species of tigers across the world.
Jude Rothwell, Marketing and PR Co-ordinator at Blackpool Zoo, said: “Lynne has raised thousands through numerous events in the past four years and her work for tigers is tireless.
“She is such good fun and we weren’t surprised at all when she asked if she would be able to get her head shaved at the zoo to generate even more money.”
“It was lovely to welcome Katie to Blackpool Zoo, she did a fantastic job of shaving Lynne’s head and even got to go and say hello to the sealions afterwards!”
Katie added: “I was delighted to help Lynne with her fundraising efforts for the tigers as they are one of my favourite animals.
“She is very brave, especially having such an extreme hairstyle at this time of year. I am sure the tiger hat the staff at the zoo bought for her will keep her warm though!”
Lynne, who is a member at Blackpool Zoo, added: “Tigers are such majestic creatures and I fell in love with Zambar when he arrived in 2010.
“Since then I have taken thousands of pictures of him and I was very excited when he was joined by a new mate, Alyona, last year.
“I have been studying their relationship ever since and I know that we are all hoping for the pitter patter of tiny stripy feet very soon.
“My hair will grow back, but when tigers are gone they are gone forever, which will be terrible.
“Tigers in the wild go through much worse than I did just having my head shaved and even though I might feel the chill a little more now, it is certainly worth it!
“I have dedicated years to fundraising for tigers and will continue for as long as I can.”
Lynne had her head shaved outside the Big Cat house at Blackpool Zoo as part of a week-long Tiger extravaganza during the half term holidays.
People are being invited to sponsor Lynne in her headshave by visiting her just giving page at http://www.justgiving.com/Jude-Rothwell