Head shave raises more than £2,000 for pamper hampers for Chesterfield and Sheffield hospital staff

Richard Brand, James Laley and Michael Bennet were persuaded to shave their luscious locks by Richard’s wife, Charlene, when she had the idea to raise money for pamper hampers.

Charlene, who owns a wellness spa company in Chesterfield, wanted to make sure that staff on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic got a moment to look after themselves.

Charlene reached out to Chesterfield Royal and Sheffield Hallamshire Hospitals to donate the hampers, which contain hand creams, foot balms, sleep balms and nutritious snacks.

She said: “I closed my business before the lockdown measures were announced, and have been sat at home. I wanted to put something together to help NHS staff look after themelves, and take a bit of time away from the stressful situation.

“I contacted Hallamshire Hospital where staff have been encouraged to use wellbeing rooms, and take five minutes out.

“The hampers will be put in the rooms so staff can use the products, or take them home.”

Richard, James and Michael had their heads shaved on Monday, April 6, and originally wanted to raise £200 for the hampers, to top up the £524 donated by Charlene’s company, Wellness Spa Therapies.

However, after raising £500 in 24 hours, they decided to raise the target to £100 which they absolutely smashed – the total now stands at £2,400.

Charlene added that they planned to just raise enough for a hamper for a friend and her colleagues at a critical care ward at Hallamshire, but the donations kept rolling in when the trio shaved their heads on a Facebook livestream.

“They were reluctant to shave their heads at first, but not reluctant to help the cause.

“Richard was supposed to have a number one all over, but someone on the stream offered an extra £100 if he would shave it to the blade. He feels every breath of wind now!”

Charlene wants to encourage others to keep the pamper hampers going, and to contact the hospitals if you can make a hamper up.

To donate, see: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/richandjames?utm_term=j6GXWqgvm