Of all the people we’ve met on the Isle of Wight, Paul Armfield, well-known musician and manager of Waterstones book shop has got to be one of the loveliest.
On 2nd January next year, Paul will be shaving off his famous long hair and beard, hoping to raise much needed cash for a very worthy charity in the process.
Paul has chosen to donate all monies raised to the Bhopal Medical Appeal. It’s a charity close to his heart, that helps those who continue to be affected by the devastating chemical leak that took place in India almost 26 years ago.
What was the Bhopal chemical leak?
Those of a certain age will remember the colossal tragedy that took place back on 2 December 1984, after a gas and chemical leak from the Union Carbide pesticide factory in Bhopal in India hit the area.
Paul told us how Union Carbide did an initial ‘cleanup’ after the event, but that 26 years later, because the water table is still poisoned, thousands of innocent people are suffering horrendous consequences, with all sorts of cancers and deformities, etc.
An independent survey of the water just north of the the factory taken by the BBC last year, found that it contained 1000 times the World Health Organization’s recommended maximum amount of carbon tetrachloride, a carcinogenic toxin.
Paul feels very strongly about the unaccountability of the company responsible, hence choosing the charity for his fund-raising.
Find out more behind the move by listening to the podcast [audio:http://otw-audio.s3.amazonaws.com/paul-armfield-bhopal-beard.mp3]
Make it a date or make a donation
If you want to book the event into your diaries, it takes place from 7:30pm on 2nd January, upstairs at Bargeman’s Rest in Newport. Live music and beard and hair cutting will take place.
Do please spare some pennies, if you can, for this very worthy cause and help Paul reach his target of £2,000. Make your donation on the Just Giving website.
