Fundraising friends were bowled over after their pub party in memory of a teenager who died from cancer raised more than £2,000.
Julie Smith and Julie Bull decided to hold an event in honour of Callum Pite who died on New Year’s Day after a battle with cancer.
They are both friends with Callum’s mum Michelle, of Pinchbeck, who has thrown herself into setting up a new charity in her son’s name as a way of helping her cope with her grief.
On Saturday, they organised an event at The Hole in the Wall pub, where party-goers were invited to wear red in honour of Callum’s love for Liverpool football team.
There was also karaoke with a difference – where singers had to pay 50p per song, while listeners could pay £1 to make them stop.
A raffle, with dozens of prizes donated by friends of the fundraising Julies, also boosted the total, as did a silent auction for a 2010/11 signed Arsenal shirt, which sold for £410.
A player for the Punchbowl football team Matthew Aylett had pledged to have his head shaved if the girls managed to raise £1,000, with Julie Bull promising to be shorn too if the total reached £2,200.
Matthew lost his hair just before 10pm – with Julie having to give in to the scissors just before midnight.
Julie Bull said: “We were totally amazed by the turn out for the event and we certainly didn’t expect to raise that much money.
“I really didn’t expect to lose my hair.”
Julie Smith added: “When we decided to do this I said I would be pleased if we raised £500, so we are blown away by what we raised.”
Michelle Pite, who is hoping the fundraiser will enable her to officially register the Callum Pite Smile Charity, said: “I am delighted but really not surprised.
“The Julies are so popular and really put a lot of effort in.”