Express & Star

Worker raises £2,000 with head shave

A Co-op worker has raised more than £2,000 for a Walsall charity after shaving off his ponytail.

Published
After the head shave

The funds, which were raised by The Midcounties Co-operative billing administrator Andy Jones-Mair, will be used to fund sexual exploitation charity Walsall Street Teams’ New Beginnings project.

The initiative offers sex workers who are sleeping rough in the area a safe environment and the support they need to rebuild their lives, including temporary respite in the form of day trips.

The charity will also be able to put on more education sessions at schools in Walsall, helping to raise awareness of grooming amongst young people in the area.

Walsall Street Teams has been The Midcounties Co-operative’s charity partner in Walsall for the last two years.

The partnership was recently extended, meaning Midcounties colleagues will take part in fundraising and volunteering activities to support Street Teams until the end of this year.

Andy Thompson, operations manager at Street Teams, said: “With more people being referred to our services each year, donations are crucial. Midcounties is one of few sources we have for fundraising support, and thanks to their efforts we’re able to help more people at risk and keep up with the rising demand for our services.

“The funds we’ve received from Andy’s head shave will make a huge difference to some of the most vulnerable people in the area and help them to make a new start in life. We’re incredibly thankful to Andy, and to all those who contributed to his efforts.”

Andy said: “I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of my colleagues to raise money for Walsall Street Teams, which is clearly a cause that many people care greatly about."

Andy’s hair will also be put to good use after it was donated to the Little Princess Trust. This will support the charity’s efforts to provide high-quality, real-hair wigs for children and young people with hair loss.

Andy added: “The prospect of losing my hair was a daunting one, but I hope it will make a real difference to the life of a young person.”

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