Hundreds of workers from car dealerships across the Newcastle area are donating the cost of their haircuts to NHS charities.
As part of the #HaircutsforHeroes campaign the staff are giving all the money they would normally pay for a cut and blow-dry, shampoo and set, colour or even a beard trim to support the work of NHS Charities Together.
The North East dealerships involved in the project, which aims to raise £20,000, are:
- Bristol Street Motors Durham Ford
- Bristol Street Motors Newcastle, Sunderland and Durham Vauxhall
- Bristol Street Motors Silverlink and Peterlee Hyundai
- Vertu Honda Sunderland, Durham and Newcastle
Giles Temple, who works at Bristol Street Motors Newcastle Vauxhall said: “Anybody who knows me knows that I’m quite precious about my hair, so it was a big deal for me to shave it all off! But our NHS is absolutely incredible – especially at the minute. My girlfriend is an NHS frontline worker and I couldn’t be prouder. So, when Bristol Street Motors launched the Haircuts for Heroes campaign, it was a no-brainer. We all want to give something back in our own little way.”
Liam Fenwick, general manager at Bristol Street Motors Newcastle Vauxhall, said: “I think the Haircuts for Heroes campaign is fantastic. Anything that helps to support our NHS workers gets my support, and this is quite a fun way raise much-needed funds from the safety of home.
“We’ve raised quite a bit of money already, and our Head Office at Vertu Motors has pledged to double what we raise, which is brilliant.”
Robert Forrester, chief executive of Vertu Motors plc, which is organising the campaign and match-funding the money raised by colleagues, said: “Our colleagues across Newcastle are embracing this fundraising and having some fun giving themselves or members of their household a new look!
“NHS staff and volunteers are doing the most amazing work right now in caring for COVID-19 patients.
“We wanted to show our respect and gratitude as they work tirelessly in the face of the virus. It’s our turn to make sure we look after them, to ensure they can keep doing their vital work.
“With hairdressers and barbers temporarily closed during this unprecedented time we’re asking our colleagues across the region to chop, snip, trim or dye their hair or beard to help raise vital funds to support our NHS. They can then share before and after pictures on social media and challenge their colleagues and friends to do the same.
“Everyone can get involved and we’d love our customers, and the general public, to support the campaign. For anyone that wants to ‘keep their hair on’, they can simply make a donation via our JustGiving page.”
For more information on the campaign or to donate – https://www.bristolstreet.co.uk/haircutsforheroes/