Saturday, August 30, 2025
20.8 C
London

The Voice of Scaffolding Since 2008ย  |ย  U.K. Edition

Scaffolder football fan shaves chest and back for World Cup

- Advertisement -

A football-mad scaffolder has shaved his chest and back to show support for England in the World Cup while raising awareness for a mental health charity.

Scaffolder and West Ham fan Alfie Callagher-Roberts, 25, shaved his chest hair into the shape of the St Georgeโ€™s cross and dyed it red ahead of Englandโ€™s first game on Monday where the Three Lions thrashed Iran 6 – 2.

The PDC Scaffolding Ltd employee aims to visit pubs during the World Cup with his man-sculpted flag proudly on display. There is however a serious side to his antics.

Alfie is hoping to raise awareness of the charity Construction Sport, which aims to tackle the spiralling suicide rates within the industry by using exercise as a vehicle to get men to open up about their feelings.

Credit: guardian-series.co.uk

 

Speaking to the Guardian Alfie said: โ€œFootballโ€™s definitely coming home. But if it doesnโ€™t, weโ€™re going to have a good time hoping it does. It started out as a joke before and it is a bit of fun, but I am hoping to raise awareness of mental health issues in construction.”

His boss Paul Casey, who owns Essex-based PDC Scaffolding, is a major sponsor of the charity and they often take each other on in five-a-side football matches.

The charity was set up by groundworker Steve Kerslake, who wants to change the way the industry deals with the mental health of its workers.

Government figures show there is a higher rate of suicide among men working in construction than any other industry โ€“ at an alarming rate of almost two suicides per working day.

“I want to raise awareness that there are charities out there that people can talk to and encourage people to take up the sport, Alfie said.

Steve found that by introducing a football to a group of construction workers it immediately created a common ground where a conversation could start.

Alfie added: โ€œIn scaffolding, weโ€™re in the van together for a long time, weโ€™re all on first-name terms, we know each other, itโ€™s a bit easier to open up.

โ€œOn construction sites with 50 other blokes, itโ€™s not as easy. Steveโ€™s doing a really good thing to try to change that and Iโ€™m trying to help spread that message.

โ€œIโ€™ll be watching the games with my top off and going around with Three Lions blaring out of my van as world cup fever starts to take grip.

โ€œIf someone comes and sees me in the pub with my top off, they might ask what thatโ€™s all about and I can tell them. Itโ€™s about creating that conversation, like what Steve is doing.”

You can follow Alfie’s World Cup antics at www.tiktok.com/@thefurryfootballfan.

Visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/world-cup-antics-fund? to donate to his cause.

 

- Advertisement -

Popular Categories

Most Read >

Game changing UK-First in Scaffolding Innovation under the Forth Road Bridgeย 

Layher pioneers its advanced cantilever technique with Hardrock Scaffolding...

SMART Scaffolder to unveil new mobile app at ScaffEx25

SMART Scaffolder will launch its latest mobile app, SMART...

Scaffolding design platform ScaffPlan to feature at Trimble event

ScaffPlan, the scaffolding design and management platform, is set...

Scaffolders Could Down Tools in Heatwave Under New HSE Proposals

Scaffolders could be given the right to stop work...

Scaffolders take on 50-mile run to help colleagueโ€™s baby daughter

Two scaffolders from Northamptonshire are preparing to run an...
- Advertisements -

Related Articles >

Scaffolderโ€™s Epic Munro Challenge Captured in BBC Documentary

Scotland โ€” A Scottish scaffolder has captured national attention after the BBC aired a documentary following his extraordinary eight-year mission to descend all 282 of Scotlandโ€™s Munros โ€” with his mountain bike. Sean Green,...

Latest Topics

Shaun Ryder tipped as VIP guest at ScaffEx25 awards

Musician Shaun Ryder is rumoured to be among the...

Leachโ€™s secures exclusive deal to supply Staht Digital Pull Testers to Scaffolders

Leachโ€™s has signed an exclusive agreement to supply Stahtโ€™s...

Game changing UK-First in Scaffolding Innovation under the Forth Road Bridgeย 

Layher pioneers its advanced cantilever technique with Hardrock Scaffolding...

Scaffolders take on 50-mile run to help colleagueโ€™s baby daughter

Two scaffolders from Northamptonshire are preparing to run an...
- Advertisement -