I'm a former Stockport Grammar School headteacher but transformed into 'Scissorman' for Manchester Marathon

A former headteacher completed the Manchester Marathon wearing a huge pair of scissors as the first of three epic challenges inside a month. 

Tim Wheeler is a magistrate who once held the top job at Stockport Grammar School. But on Sunday, he transformed into his alter ego ‘Scissorman’ as one of the 32,000 runners taking on the 26-mile course which started and ended in Trafford.

The 62-year-old’s elaborate get-up is to show he’s raising money and awareness for the Little Princess Trust, of which he has been chairman since 2011. The charity provides free wigs for children who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment. 

The organisation was set up in 2005 by the parents of Hannah Tarplee, who tragically passed away aged five after a cancer diagnosis. Hannah was a pupil at a former school where Tim was headteacher. 

“We know there are still children who might have needed a wig who didn’t know we’re out there, so we want to make sure we reach every child who could possibly want a wig in this country,” Tim told Manchester World on the start line.

“It's unbelievable, amongst all the things that happen to a child with cancer, losing their hair is a big deal. A simple thing like giving a wig, any colour they want, any style, the lift that they get out of it is incredible, it's just the most incredible thing to be involved in.”

Tim’s ‘Scissorman’ costume weighs in at around 10kg. Sunday was his eighth Manchester Marathon and fourth in his striking attire. 

“It’s a big costume, it's really obvious, it’s impossible to miss - I spend a lot of time making sure that it isn’t going to rub and fall apart,” Tim said. 

“It is a slog running with a costume on, but people are yelling things at you, making jokes about the scissors, smiling, laughing, it changes the race completely. I get excited about just being out in the crows, it’s the most amazing buzz, people are smiling, laughing, yelling, it’s such a great atmosphere.”

Manchester is just the start for the former headteacher as he’s taking on London’s 26 mile route next week and the Leeds Marathon on May 12.  Although he has run marathons all across the country, Manchester remains his favourite.

“The crowds are brilliant, seeing my family and friends, it’s just a brilliant day out,” he said.