A cut above: Annual BarbersRide charity trip takes total funds raised to £150k

Organisers of the annual BarbersRide motorcycle run are celebrating their biggest year yet, with 39 riders taking on a lap of Ireland to raise an estimated £25,000 for the Make a Wish children’s charity.

Founded in 2017 by Xavier Berrell, Richie Finney, and Colin Petrie, who all work in the male grooming industry, the event sees riders travel between barber shops whilst raising vital funds – enjoying evening gatherings, a £75 goody bag, and some amazing riding roads along the way.

“It’s extraordinary really, because when we started, I think we had 12 bikers on it,” Xavier Berrell told MCN. “We were never really thinking too far ahead, we were kind of living in the moment and doing it for good deeds.

“What happened though is everyone knows another biker and slowly but surely it just got bigger and better every year.”

This year’s ride had the biggest attendance to date, with organisers hoping to entice 50 entrants in years to come. Starting out with just barbers, anyone is now welcome to join in.

The 2023 event was priced at £180 per rider, with accommodation then paid for on top of that, and all of the money generated going to Make a Wish. The latest event takes the group’s charity total to around £150,000.

“This was the first year that we went overseas,” Xavier continued. “It’s always been done on mainland Britain, but the lads and lasses fancied something a bit more adventurous.

“For some people it was their first time and I think they were blown away with how nice the people are.”

This welcome reception included a €1000 donation from a total stranger met during a stop off at a pub in Wexford. What’s more, the team at Fat Tony’s Barber Shop, in Galway, raffled off a custom bobber build with 200 tickets available at £100 each before donating the profits.

“We are raising money for poorly children, everyone and anyone is welcome,” Xavier concluded. To find out more and to donate, visit barbersride.com

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1100-mile BarbersRide goes ahead despite coronavirus complications

First published on September 2, 2020 by Jordan Gibbons

Charities throughout the UK have suffered a huge financial hit as a result of cancelled fundraising events during lockdown, but thanks to the efforts of a determined band of scissor-weidling bikers there is at least one worthy cause guaranteed to receive a significant donation.

The BarbersRide is a five-day, 1100-mile tour of the UK, linking daily destinations at some of Britain’s best barbershops via a route that takes in many of the nation’s greatest roads.

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2020 marks the fourth year for this unique event, which has previously raised £39,000 for such good causes as Liverpool’s Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and London’s Great Ormond Street as well as this year’s sole beneficiary, Make-A-Wish, who help create life-changing memories for children with critical illnesses.

With 28 bikes on board, BarbersRide 2020 saw a record turnout and is expected to raise at least £20,000. Travelling in their own self-imposed, socially-distanced bubble and spending up to 10 hours a day on the road, the group departed the Master Barber’s Shop in Southport on August 9 to stop off at Llanelli, Bournemouth, Leigh-on-Sea and Northampton before enjoying a triumphant finale at Gilly’s Barbers in Baildon, West Yorkshire on August 13.

“Motorcycles are our passion,” says organiser Richie Finney of Captain Fawcett Ltd, who founded BarbersRide along with Xavier Berrell from Reuzel. “Our success to date has exceeded our wildest expectations with support from businesses in the barbering and biking worlds.”

For details on the 2021 ride visit www.barbersride.com. To donate search for BarbersRide on JustGiving.

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Shave the date! 2019 BarbersRide starts on August 10

First published on May 3, 2019 by Gareth Evans

The 2019 BarbersRide event is set to kit off at the Speakeasy Barbershop in Liverpool on Saturday August 10, with a fleet of bikers setting off on Sunday to take in five barbering seminars along the way.  

Now in its third year, the five-day UK road trip will visit a number of cities around the UK and will raise money for the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

The itinerary is:

• SATURDAY 10TH AUGUST, LIVERPOOL

The Speakeasy Barbershop: Pre-event. Riders only.

• SUNDAY 11TH AUGUST, BATH

Black Sails Barbershop with Paul Taylor-Clinch & special guest James Beaumont.

• MONDAY 12TH AUGUST, AYLESBURY

Baldy’s Barbershop with ‘Baldy Kenny’ & special guest Wez Jones of The Heartbreak Barber Club.

• TUESDAY 13TH AUGUST, NORWICH

Norwich Harley-Davidson with Haydn Woodrow and Pauly Harmer.

• WEDNESDAY 14TH AUGUST, SHEFFIELD

Savills Barbers with Joth Davies & special guest Christian Wiles.

• THURSDAY 15TH AUGUST, LYTHAM ST ANNES

Ruger Barbers with Alan Beak & special guest Simon Shaw.  

Those taking part can look forward to evenings hosted by Alan Beak (Ruger), Joth Davies (Savills), Paul Taylor-Clinch (Black Sails), Mark Young (Swagger & Jacks) and Darren “Baldy” Kenny (Baldy Barbers).

Tickets to ride in the event cost £150 per rider, which nets full access to the seminars and afterparties, the route plan, rider support vehicle and a goody bag from the event’s sponsors.

You can also attend the individual events, at a cost of £25 per person. For that you’ll get a smaller goody bag and access to the afterparty.

To book, head to www.barbersride.com

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