Head shave helps charity smash £1,000 fundraising target
Head shave helps charity smash £1,000 fundraising target
A CHARITY shop employee underwent a head-shave last Wednesday for a cause that helps children who suffer with mental health illness. Aaron Pointer from Uttoxeter’s Barnardo’s branch took to the shaver as part of the charity’s fund-raising season in aid of SOLAR, the specialist service for kids with mental health difficulties. A 'Guess The Bear' competition also ran at the charity shop from July to August with car washes and basic sales also raising money for the cause.
Aaron, who lives in Blythe Bridge, has worked at the store for two-and-a-half years and came up with the idea of a head-shave while the team were brainstorming ideas of what staff could do earlier in the year, taking inspiration from his friend who once shaved his head for his colleague who had cancer.
The 32-year-old said: “Some children in the very formative years of childhood suffer with mental health difficulties.
“There should be people who are there to help guide them through it, and SOLAR is the charity that does that.”
The shop smashed their £1,000 target having raised £1,600 in total across the fund-raising period.
After the head shave, Aaron said: “I’ve got quite a different look after having long hair for so long.
“We are over the moon with how well we did and how much everyone donated and helped.”
Aaron wanted to extend a thanks to Lisa Lovatt, of Forsbrook, who took time out of her schedule to perform the head shave, free of charge.
The Uttoxeter branch of Barnardo’s has been open for over four years and now employs six people with over 20 volunteers also helping out.
Barnardo’s was founded in 1867 when Thomas Barnardo set up a school to help disadvantaged children.
A spokesperson for the charity said: “Now we’re helping hundreds of thousands of children, young people, parents and carers across the UK.
“We don’t abandon children because of who they are or what they’ve done.
“We listen to them, fight for their rights and do whatever it takes to protect and support them – because we believe that all children have the right to a happy and healthy life.”
The charity worked with more than 300,000 children, young people, carers and parents between 2017 and 2018.
The spokesperson said: “It’s vital that we speak up to help give young people the best chance in life.
“To do this, we spend money on campaigning to help change policies and raise awareness of issues affecting children and young people.”
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