Wigan fund-raiser gets shaved to raise money for care home

Neil Urquhart, from Higher Ince, has so far managed to bring in more than £400 for Lakelands Care Home where his wife Sharon works.
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The money will probably go to getting some garden furniture, which the home on Grizedale Drive has required since its previous stock of outdoor equipment was callously stolen last summer.

HGV driver Neil was inspired to do his bit to help after hearing about other people’s efforts to help the health and care sectors while driving for his job and getting some insight from Sharon into what the current situation is like for care home residents..

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Sharon also got to wield the clippers for the fund-raising shave, which took place in the couple’s back garden and was broadcast on Facebook Live.

Neil Urquhart outside the care home after his fund-raising shaveNeil Urquhart outside the care home after his fund-raising shave
Neil Urquhart outside the care home after his fund-raising shave

Neil, 44, said: “I was driving and heard about somebody who had decided to do some fund-raising for people stuck in hospital with Covid-19. She had raised £30,000.

“It got me thinking what I could do for the care home my wife works at. It came into my head that I needed a hair cut and that was it.

“It must be absolutely awful for people in homes at the moment. They can’t see their friends and family, some of them have got dementia. It’s hard enough for us able-bodied people.

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“It will hopefully go to somme garden furniture. We’ve had beautiful weather and they’re having to take chairs outside so they can enjoy the sunshine.”

Neil just before the shave with his wife SharonNeil just before the shave with his wife Sharon
Neil just before the shave with his wife Sharon

Neil originally set the donation page up so the more he raised the more severe the final cut would be.

He had originally thought he could raise about £100 but smashed that, meaning Sharon had to completely shave his head and legs.

Neil says he is getting used to his new look but admitted he has had a couple of amusing comments.

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He said: “Someone said it looked like I had just walked out of jail, and my sister took a photo from the video to send to my dad and he sasid it took him 10 to 15 seconds to realise who it was.”

Neil’s fund-raising exploits have been welcomed by the grateful team at Lakelands.

Admin Tracy Eatock said: “It’s brilliant because we can’t do our normal fund-raising. Last year our garden furnityure got pinched and we’re having to replace it, so this will help.

“We’re focusing on keeping morale up and keeping everyone happy.”

To find out more or donate, visit www.gofundme.com/f/lakelands-care-home?utm_source=customer-andr&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=email

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