EVEN though he has hung up his scissors, a retired hairdresser was given this year’s Lifetime Achievement award.

Graham Kent has been sorting out the hair of the people of Basingstoke for more than 50 years, practising since 1971 and owning FHC Hair in Houndmills since 1990. In that time, he has given up his time and energy helping the fledgling hairdressers of Basingstoke with the opportunity to get a start in the world of hairdressing.

Even after doing all of that, he is well-known for raising money for St Michael’s Hospice, through such events as the annual hair show. In his time, he has successfully raised over £30,000, just for St Michael’s Hospice. The idea came after he was approached by the hospice for a ‘bad hair day’ fundraiser, which then became the FHC Hair Show.

Felicity Edwards, from Destination Basingstoke, said: “Graham used his successful business in town as a platform to promote and raise funds for important causes and after a long career we are pleased to present him with this token of appreciation for all the hard work.”

The award came as a surprise for Graham. Speaking to the Gazette, he said: “After 52 years of talking, as soon as the spotlight was on me, nothing came out. It is absolutely gobsmacking to win. I’ve been nominated several times before, but I hadn’t won anything. I thought it might just be an enjoyable evening, and it turns out it was even more than that.

“I’m really pleased, I shall sleep with it under my pillow tonight, it’s like getting an Oscar.”

Even though it was Graham picking up the award, he said that half the award should go to his wife Marie. Graham added: “She has been just wonderful, and it really is a team effort. She definitely does more than just make the corn flakes!”

Marie said: “It was great to see him get it, and it was absolutely fabulous to see him up there. I was really hoping that he would get it and it happened.”