STAFF at Chester-based M&S Money have raised £1,600 for Cheshire Young Carers with a sponsored head shave.
The event brings the total funds raised by M&S Money employees for the charity this year to £6,500.
M&S Money chief executive Colin Kersley, made the first cut for the four willing volunteers, David Smith, Cerries Whitby, Darren Ridley, and Ann Tanswell –who agreed to part with her long locks if the donations exceeded £1,000.
Lindsay Weaver, Programme Manager, Cheshire Young Carers, commented: “The staff at M&S Money have helped our young carers so much this year, the head shave raised a fantastic amount and is testimony to the level of the support they’ve provided this year.”
The money raised from the head shave will contribute towards a 2012 ‘health and wellbeing’ project which will enable around 30 young carers to be supported weekly by volunteers to develop their self esteem, confidence and coping mechanisms. This is proven to reduce the negative effects caused by the stress of their caring role
Jeni Underhill, community relations Manager at M&S Money, added: “Cheshire Young Carers does some amazing work for the deserving young people in the region who give so much of their time to help others and we’re pleased to be working closely with them on a range of fund raising and mentoring initiatives.”
M&S Money is committed to raising £500,000, in collaboration with its community partners, by the end of 2011. In addition, every member of staff is entitled to take a paid ‘community day’ each year to get involved with a local community project.
Local charities benefiting from the support of M&S Money so far this year include Blacon Children’s Centre, Deeside Women’s Aid, Cheshire Wildlife Trust, Clwyd Special Riding Centre and Wrexham-based Nightingale House Hospice, amongst others.
