CHESHIRE HEROES of 2019

Tis the season of goodwill so let us celebrate those people whose courage, caring and commitment to incredible causes have inspired us this year

1 GED KING

Founder of The Skullfades Foundation

For Ged King, 33, from Sale, running a successful barbershop wasn’t enough. Moved by the increasing number of homeless people locally – and determined to give people a chance to improve their lives – he began to offer free haircuts to the homeless and unemployed. ‘The first guy who came through the door had been living in a tent for two years,’ he says. ‘He looked really unsure. But once he sat down, we talked, laughed and the guy enjoyed his first positive interaction in ages.’ Ged doesn’t judge. He knows what it is to have a turbulent start in life and to overcome your demons. Perhaps that is what draws people to him. Such was the demand for his services he set up Skullfades Foundation, which helps people out with food and clothing, addiction support as well as haircuts. He has even started training barbers - he has a second shop in Stretford run by people who are ex-forces, ex-prisoners or homeless; those who have overcome their own challenges using newfound skills. He’s also visited refugee camps in Calais offering haircuts to people living in the most unthinkable circumstances. For Ged, it’s about giving someone their dignity back: ‘People come in with their head down, and during the haircut, I lift their chin. Halfway through, you see a change as you reconnect with the person. It’s wonderful.’ skullfadesfoundation.co.uk

2 PETER MCCLEAVE

Founded 10000donors.com to encourage sign-up to a stem cell register