Watch as Sunderland fundraisers brave the shave for Washington Mind
and live on Freeview channel 276
Wendy Colling, who works for the Washington branch of mental health charity Mind, shaved off her hair to raise vital funds for the service, at her home on Saturday, April 25.
It came after 11-year-old Jayden Wright contacted the team last week to say he was planning to shave his head to help them during the pandemic.
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Hide AdShe was so moved by the schoolboy’s efforts she decided to join him and brave the shave too.
Between them Wendy and Jayden have now raised more than £1,400 for the project to help staff and volunteers provide support for those experiencing mental health issues.
“I was so inspired by brave Jayden, who contacted us to say he understood the impact the current crisis would have on people’s mental health and wanted to help,” said Wendy, 53.
“I decided to see how much we could raise together for our fantastic project.”
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Hide AdBefore the coronavirus lockdown measures were introduced, Washington Mind was in the process of fundraising for a community outreach van which would provide mobile mental health support and information at events, clubs and schools around the city.
Wendy continued: “All local Minds are independent charities responsible for their own fundraising and like a lot of charities we will lose a lot of income during the lockdown,” continued Wendy.
“We are aware that the Coronavirus pandemic will have a significant mental health impact on us all and recognise there has never been a better time for us to bring our services to the community.”
Wendy and the team are now inviting others to brave their own head shave - or come forward with a different fundraiser – while the country stays at home in line with government guidance.
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Hide AdShe added: “I want to thank everyone for their contribution and support - it means so much to me and all of the staff, volunteers and people who use the services at Washington Mind.”
For more information contact Washington Mind: [email protected] or 0191 417 8043