The death of a childhood friend has inspired a local barber to do his part in raising health awareness within the community — particularly among Bermuda’s men.

Ricky Spence, owner of Spence’s Barber Shop in Pembroke, has urged the Island’s men to undergo regular medical check-ups to detect treatable illnesses that can be potentially fatal if left unchecked, such as the one that claimed the life of a close friend last summer.

To get his message across the veteran barber, who has nearly 40 years of experience under his belt, is hosting the first ever Ricky’s Health Day on Saturday at his business located at 4 Glebe Road.

The event, to be held between 1pm and 3pm, will feature free health screenings to be conducted by certified physicians.

Mr Spence, 53, has urged the Island’s men to advantage of the free screenings on offer that could help save lives.

“There will be screening for high blood pressure, sugar diabetes and whatever other sickness you can think of,” he explained. “It is just so important to get yourself checked, and everything is free.”

The positive feedback Mr Spence has received from the general public suggests that his plea to the Island’s men to get themselves checked hasn’t fallen on deaf ears.

“People are so excited about it,” he said. “I have been spreading the word around to let everyone know what is going on ... but I really didn’t think it was going to catch on like this so fast. Hopefully our men, in particular our young men, will take advantage of it because it is free.”

“We are hoping this will encourage other men to get themselves checked, that is what this is all about. Ricky’s Health Day is all about helping men to get themselves in condition in terms of health wise. Getting their health checked out and all that because there has been a lot of sickness going around and a lot of young men who did not get themselves checked out have passed away.”

It took tragic circumstances to move Mr Spence to do his part in encouraging Bermuda’s men to undergo regular health screens.

“I had a good friend of mine pass away through high blood pressure which could have been avoided had he got it checked regularly,” he said. “Most sickness comes from people not getting things checked out, and every family has a trait of some type of sickness; high blood pressure or this or that. And, if you don’t consistently get your body checked, this stuff just runs up on you over the years with bad eating habits, drinking (alcohol) or lack of exercise. All these things play a part, so I just want to encourage guys to take better care of themselves because women go to the doctor for everything. They are on top of things.”

One of the highlights of Saturday’s event will be a 100-yard dash between Mr Spence and long time client Brenton Peterson. The race starts outside of Grace Church and ends at Mr Spence’s barber shop.

The winner will receive a trophy and bragging rights, while the loser will have their hair, moustache and eyebrows shaved — something Mr Spence is trying his best to avoid.

“Peter and I have been buddies for a long time,” Mr Spence said. “But this race is no joke, and I have been training for this.”

Food and beverages will also be provided free of charge for those in attendance.