A new-look Piano Joe embraces Ingrid Newman at the Lion’s Den Hotel on Sunday after he shaved his trademark beard and hair to help fund her brain tumour treatment journey. Photo: Supplied.
The trademark look of a regular Lion’s Den Hotel performer is no more after his long hair and beard were shaved off in support of “Den Baby” Ingrid Newman.
Rossville locals came together on Sunday afternoon to give Piano Joe a new look after $3,400 was raised to help Ingrid’s family with the costs of her brain tumour treatment, which she has been fighting since she was just 14 months old.
The clean-shaven result came after Piano Joe smashed the $1,000 goal at which he pledged to shave his hair, and the $2,000 goal at which he pledged to say goodbye to his beard.
Mum Belle Newman thanked Piano Joe and the community for their support, which will help the family with out-of-pocket costs while travelling to Cairns for ongoing scans and treatment.
“$1,140 [was donated] through the PayPal fundraiser pool, Joe donated his hire fee and collected $400 of donations walking around Cooktown [on Saturday], plus more that got handed over the bar over the weekend could have added up to $3,000, but definitely over $2000,” she said on Sunday.
“The next MRI is the end of April, with check-ups with her doctor to see how it’s all going.
“The money helps so much with food, taxis and accommodation costs, plus Ingrid’s dad takes time off work or less hours to look after Ingrid’s siblings, so keeping up with the regular bills.
“Ingrid loved having a go with the clippers, and the atmosphere was great.”
