Whaplode biker will shave off beard of 45-years to raise charity cash in memory of stepson

Brave Brent Usher is preparing to shave off his trademark beard for the first time in 45 years - in memory of his stepson.

More than £1,000 has already been raised for mental health charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) ahead of the big day on August 31, which will see him cheered on by pals from local biker clubs at a gathering at their Whaplode home.

And if that wasn’t daring enough, family friend Billy Trevey will also be adding to the coffers on a 2,000km sponsored cycle through Vietnam.

“I’ve had a full beard since I was 15,” said 60-year-old Brent, who has never owned a razor and was even sporting the facial hair when he was a pupil at Gleed Boys School in Spalding.

“It’ll be different, but nice to see what I actually look like after all these years.

“It doesn’t bother me, it’ll grow back. And it’s all for a good cause.”

Brent, a semi-retired blacksmith and taxidermist, will brave the shave in memory of stepson Karl Southgate, who took his own life in November, 2022, aged 40.

Although he lived in Buxton, Karl - who called Brent ‘Dad’ - spent most weekends visiting the family home in South Holland.

“He was a lovely guy, very unselfish,” Brent said.

“He’d give you his last penny, even if he was hard up.”

Brent’s big shave is bound to be a shock for wife Tracy, Karl’s mum.

The couple have been together for 10 years and, despite knowing each other for more than 40, a black and white photograph of Brent as a young child in their living room is the only time she has seen him without the beard.

But the new look will also be a shock for other members of the family as many of the couple’s 16 grandchildren refer to Brent as ‘Santa Claus’ or ‘Grandad Beard’.

“I’ll miss it,” said Tracy, 58.

“But I’m very intrigued to see what he looks like, and it’s for a good cause.

“Brent might look like a big, hairy guy but he’s got a heart of gold.”

Pals from biker clubs including Divergence, Lincolnshire Thunder, Iron Horse, Devil’s Misfits, Hell’s Angels and the Flatlands Drifters will join Brent - on his beloved Yamaha Dragstar custom - for a charity ride out on shave day before returning to Whaplode at 2pm, for get together and the main event.

Friends and businesses, including the Sycamore Motorcycles Harley-Davidson Garage at Uppingham, have donated prizes and artworks for a fundraising raffle to help boost the coffers.

Some mates have been so accustomed to seeing the beard they have offered to pay to keep it, but Brent is seeing the shave as a chance to have some fun.

“I might leave the moustache and see what I look like as a 70s porn star,” he said with a laugh.

“But I’ll have to grow the beard back or no-one will recognise me.”

Also setting out for some two-wheeled fun will be family friend Billy, the son of Brent’s best man Nobby who, although originally from the area, is currently working in Vietnam as an artist and musician.

Keen to do his bit, Billy will pedal the length of the country, which he hopes to complete in four to six weeks.

Billy has set himself a fundraising total of £1,000, which will equate to 50p per kilometre.

You can sponsor Brent by visiting www.justgiving.com/page/sophie-moss-1716487303247 and sponsor Billy by visiting here.

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