James’ mullet makeover for MS

It’s been three years since personal trainer James Cooper has had a haircut, but last week he decided to get his mullet chopped for charity.

“I can’t remember the last time I got it cut. It was definitely before lockdown.”

Working at City Fitness gym, James knew a couple of the guys there who suffer from multiple sclerosis and came up with the idea to do a sponsored snip to fundraise for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of NZ.

“I was planning to have a tidy up anyway, and then thought maybe I could turn it into a fundraiser for the guys at the gym.”

He says his wife Helen wasn’t too keen on a complete head shave, but was certainly happy to see the back of his messy mullet.

“It’s become a bit of a thing at the gym,” he says.

“All the staff are behind the campaign and have been wearing blonde wigs in the run-up to the big day.”

Taking donations online as well as in cash, James has already raised around $1500 of his $2k target.

“I know we are in some challenging times for people, so it’s inspiring to see how the community have come together to help raise funds for this cause.”

Mike Cathro is one of the men who inspired James to fundraise. He was diagnosed with MS aged 25.

“I first had symptoms when I was 22 but was told it was MS a few years later. That was just over 15 years ago now.

“There isn’t really enough support for MS in this country, so any fundraising goes a long way to help those who need it,” he says.

Similarly, Jon Anda knows James through the gym, who he describes as a “larger than life personality” around the place.

Jon was diagnosed with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) in 2009, an incurable disease which falls under the umbrella of MS.

“When someone who doesn’t even know you puts their hand in their pocket to give money and raise cash for your illness, that’s pretty humbling,” Jon says.

The haircut took place right in the centre of the gym at 5.45pm, which is the busiest time of day there.

“We hoped that by doing it in front of everyone as they were working out, people might chuck some more money in the bucket to get us to our target,” James says.

Mike and Jon both snipped off a ponytail each before one of James’ personal training clients grabbed the clippers and went to town.

Casey Taylor says she used to do hairdressing, so he was in safe hands.

“It was good to put him under a bit of pressure as it’s usually the other way round,” she says.

If you would like to donate, visit givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/chop-that-mullet.