Two brave painters and decorators raised £500 for the Oxford Mail's Medibike Appeal - by having their chest hair removed.

Ian Smith, 32, and Karl Ross, 33, had their chests waxed and the hair ripped out in front of pals at the Jubilee '77 Community Centre in Sorrel Road, Blackbird Leys, Oxford, on Saturday.

However, both agreed it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Ian, of Sorrel Road, said: "I can tell you one thing, I shall never be doing it again! It was absolute agony.

"We were originally going to do it in time for New Year's Eve for a party at the club where all the men dress as women but if it's grown back by then, it's staying there! I know Karl thinks the same.

The deed was performed by Oxford College beauty student Gemma Elliott.

Karl, of Field Avenue, came in for plenty of light-hearted banter in particular - as he is the social club's chairman.

The aim of the Medibike Appeal is to raise £15,000 for a Suzuki Hayabusa - the fastest bike on the road. It will be given to Oxfordshire Ambulance Service to help paramedics get through traffic on the way to emergencies.

If you would like to contribute to the appeal, please make cheques payable to The Oxfordshire Ambulance Service Charitable Fund and send them to the Promotions Department, Oxford Mail, Osney Mead, Oxford, OX2 OEJ.

Alternatively, if you would like to stage a fundraising or sponsored event, please write to the promotions department at the above address, marking your envelope Oxford Mail Medibike Charity Event.

Make sure you tell us exactly what you are planning, where and when your charity event is being staged and include your name and daytime telephone number.

We will do our best to help publicise your charity efforts if you can give us enough notice.

Story date: Tuesday 07 December

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