AN unusual event is to be held at Whitstone Village Stores on Saturday, October 28, as one man is giving people the opportunity to buy a wax strip and take off a section of his body hair — all in the name of charity.

Martyn Crowling, from Whitstone, said he ‘randomly thought of the idea’ whilst scrolling through Facebook and seeing similar events.

He will experience ‘excruciating’ pain — according to his wife and some female friends he has consulted — but says that is ok because ‘it is all for a good cause’.

Martyn said: “There was no real thought process behind this, I was just scrolling through Facebook one day and saw a few similar events and thought randomly ‘I could do that for charity’ and put myself through a lot of pain at the same time, because why not!”

When asked if he was nervous, he said: “I am now. The female side has told me it hurts — a lot. So yes I am nervous but it is all for a good cause.”

Martyn will be raising money for Alzheimer’s Research UK, a charity close to his heart. He said: “My gran passed away in 2014 and a few years before that we found out she had Alzheimer’s. Although that isn’t what she died from — we later found out she also had cancer — I feel Alzheimer’s is somewhat overlooked.

“I will not take away from other charities, the work they do is so valuable but you do see a lot on TV about Cancer Research and Macmillan but very little about Alzheimer’s. I’d say it’s a forgotten about disease until a family member or friend gets it.”

The event will see Martyn offer wax strips to those who attend. He said: “I have got one of my friend’s sisters to do the waxing, so she will put the wax on and people can purchase a strip and pull it off if they want to cause me some pain — I’m sure there are people that would like to!”

Martyn said he is hoping the event will raise a minimum of £300. He said: “Last year I did a ‘coast-to-coast’ bike ride for the Alzheimer’s Society and raised around £1,200. But this time I think I will just see what I can raise and anything after that is a bonus!”

He added: “Dan Cock, who runs Whitstone Stores, has kindly said whatever takings he gets on the night he will donate a percentage to the charity, which will help boost funds nicely.”

For those unable to attend the event, but who would like to support Martyn in his fundraising efforts, a Virgin moneygiving page has been set up. To donate visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserPage.action?userUrl=MartyC