Ricky Spence was heartbroken when Gregory Bean, his friend since childhood, died three years ago.

The Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute orderly was 53 when he lost his battle with high blood pressure.

Mr Spence vowed to do something to help tackle the chronic disease. “He was in and out of the hospital with it,” said the Angle Street barber.

“I couldn’t just stand around and let people fall down and say there is nothing we can do. As a businessman, I wanted to put out a hand to help who I can.”

He has held a community health day at his store, Ricky’s Barber Shop, every year since.

The next takes place on May 20. Free health screenings by Northshore Medical will be on offer; Argus will donate prizes for a 100-yard dash organised for kids.

“The first time we held the community health day I ran in the 100-yard dash against Brandon Peterson and Peterson beat me,” laughed Mr Spence, who has run the Bermuda Half Marathon Derby 26 times.

“Last year we had Dale Butler and Charles Jeffers running it. Mr Jeffers is pretty amazing.

“He’s 75 and still very active. He plays a lot of squash.”

So far, 16 children have signed up for the race. Because of Angle Street’s narrowness they might have to run three at a time.

“A lot of people have no job and no health insurance,” Mr Spence said. “Some people really need to go to the hospital, but feel they just don’t have the money to go. Some people are just barely making it.”

His hope is that the annual event helps to wake people up about their health.

“Sometimes people don’t want to take their doctor’s advice,” he said. “The doctor says one thing and they do something else. I think exercise and eating right is the key.

“This here is an opportunity for people to get checked.”

He has already seen its impact on the community.

“After last year’s event, this man came to me and said the health screening had saved his life.

“After the check, he’d been flown overseas for treatment. He was in his 60s and had high blood pressure and diabetes. Before the health screening, he knew his health was bad, he just didn’t know how bad.”

Mr Spence was also happy to be doing something for his new neighbourhood.

He moved to Angle Street from North Shore, Devonshire, a few months ago.

“So far, the neighbourhood has been very nice,” he said. “I’m right between Fish & Tings and Scratchy’s Barber Shop and they both do a striving business.”

The health screenings will run from 10am to 3pm on Saturday, May 20; the 100-yard dash starts at 11am.

For more information, call 292-7046.