Pain waxes and wanes for Simon (From This Is Wiltshire)

4:15pm Sunday 26th August 2007 in

THERE was hardly a wince as the strip of wax ripped hair from his legs, but inside Simon Harrison was feeling the burn.

The 48-year-old landlord at The Clifton pub went through half an hour of leg-waxing torture on Saturday to boost the Prospect@Home campaign funds.

As his customers enjoyed a beer in the sunshine of the summer fun day, Simon revealed that a holiday prank had given him the idea.

"We were on holiday in Kos and some people had brought some wax strips," he said.

"They were running round putting them on people's backs before ripping it off, and I thought it would be a fun thing to do for Prospect@Home."

Deb Smith, a beautician from Simply Red, in Pinehurst, applied the wax and removed most of the hair, but several regulars had a go too.

It was only when Simon's wife Wendy decided to wax his thigh that the former rugby player showed any signs of discomfort.

Wendy said: "I enjoyed that, but he's acting all tough.

"I know it's hurting him though, so he's doing his bit for Prospect."

Simon said: "It's a bit like when you get a tattoo, it hurts at the beginning and then you stop noticing it."

A sponsorship form was handed round the Eastcott pub while Jane Townsend waited to follow Simon into the hot seat.

She said: "I've never had my legs waxed before, it looks a bit uncomfortable but it's all for a good cause.

"I just hope they get it over and done with as soon as possible."

Jane's husband John Whittaker was clearly enjoying seeing his landlord go through a bit of pain.

He said: "He's playing the macho man but you can see it's hurting him.

"I've never had it done and I have no intention of getting it done, so fair play to them for volunteering.

"Everyone knows the work Prospect does and it would be great to see a home service introduced."

Simon saw the treatment his mother-in-law received at the Wroughton hospice.

He said: "The way they cared for her was second to none, they were fantastic.

"Everyone in Swindon has probably had to go there to see a relative, and you can see how good it is the moment you get there.

"If we can get a few hundred pounds from this collection it will be a little help for their campaign."

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