MARK PLUMMER talks title-chasing and fundraising with King's Lynn ace Rory Schlein in his latest "˜Friday Feature'.
RORY Schlein is in his local supermarket when I track him down. At least his shopping list is a bit lighter these days.
There's no need for razor blades or shaving cream any longer as the man from the Northern Territories of Australia makes some considerable changes to his own northern territories "“ all in the name of a charity mission called "˜Shave The Roo'.
Schlein is bidding to raise £10,000 for Breast Cancer Care by growing a beard from now until the end of August and the response has already been terrific with donations piling in.
He admits he was knocked back by the recent death of Gemma Boxall, a 31 year-old mother-of-three, and the sister of his mechanic Lee Broughton, from the disease.
The two-time Elite League Riders' Champion said: "Gemma's death really touched a nerve and I knew straight away I wanted to try to do something to help.
"Breast Cancer Care is a brilliant charity which provides support for those families having to deal with a tragedy.
"It is not just the heartbreak of losing a loved one, it is what happens next. It is the help that is so valuable to people like Gemma's husband Tom and their young children in moving forward.
"I'm not kidding myself that I'm famous by any means, but I'm pretty well known in speedway and would like to think I have a bit of pull that I can utilise to raise some money."
Schlein has events and a range of merchandise planned to swell his charity coffers, including turning the Norfolk Arena pink on July 16 when the Stars entertain Leicester.
He admits he has taken inspiration from reigning world champion Tai Woffinden's sterling charity exploits.
Woffinden is aiming to raise £100,000 for the Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity by cycling to the British Grand Prix at the Millennium Stadium. He raised more than £20,000 for Cancer Research by arriving in Cardiff in the same style last summer.
"I have a lot of respect for the fundraising Tai did last year and his challenge for 2014 is immense," continued Schlein. "And I guess I fed off that when coming up with "˜Shave The Roo'
"It is always nice to be in a position to give a little back and we have loads of ideas for events. We're thinking of a golf day and some sort of go-karting to give supporters and sponsors the chance to interact with riders.
"We're also turning the Norfolk Arena pink - on and off the track "“ and I have to thank David Hemsley and the Leicester riders for being so supportive.
"It is a proper league meeting on July 16 but both teams will be wearing limited edition pink race-jackets which will then be auctioned."
Schlein's facial hair will be allowed to grow until a public shaving during the Stars' final scheduled home meeting of the regular season when they entertain Swindon on August 27.
"I've never grown a beard in my life before so I have no idea how it is going to turn out. My missus says I'm changing though.
"I've been told to expect two phases of itchiness and I think I've already been through the first one.
"I was sat eating a burrito at King's Cross Station the other day, went to wipe my mouth and realised I had half my food in the beard. I guess that was a bit of a rookie mistake!"
By the time Schlein sees a razor, the Stars will ideally be bound for the Elite League play-offs.
If they can maintain the form displayed in the early weeks of the campaign, when suffering only one narrow away defeat in their first seven league outings, they will surely be a shoe-in for a top-four finish.
But Schlein, who knows a thing or two about tasting title glory after helping Coventry to league honours in 2005 and 2007, is not about to count his chickens.
He continued: "We're sitting pretty at the moment after a really good start, but this is a long season and it is all about hitting the play-offs with momentum.
"Birmingham were up there throughout last year but then ran out of steam when it really mattered. You don't want to be in that position.
"We dropped too many points at home last season and the focus is on turning the Norfolk Arena back into a fortress.
"We had a bit of a scare against Wolverhampton the other week, but we showed great character to come through that meeting.
"Otherwise we have been in really good form at home and also picking up good points on the road.
"We have a world-class number one in Niels Kristian Iversen and plenty of other guys capable of scoring well. We could have done without Kenneth Bjerre breaking his collarbone, but I'm sure he won't be out for too long.
"We've got plenty of other guys going well and we have the best two reserves in the league in Lewis Kerr and Lewis Rose. Kerr has been outstanding in the Elite League while "˜Rosey' is terrific for someone who has only been trailing his leg over a bike for two years.
"It is a great feeling as a captain to know you have those sort of guys at the bottom end of the team who can be relied on.
"Rob (Lyon) and Buster (Chapman) spent a lot of time putting together what they felt was the right team for 2014, but it is a side whose full potential may not be realised until next year or the year after that."
Schlein has already received notable help or donations for "˜Shave The Roo' from Adrian Flux Insurance, Forkrent, Poultec and Fusion Clothing.
Picture caption: Rory Schlein (right) is pictured with mechanic Lee Broughton (left), Tom Boxall and son Wills, and Lucy Broughton. Picture courtesy of the Lynn News.
