Five members of staff at a Chingford care home have had their heads shaved in front of residents, families and colleagues, raising money for a hospital that has cared for people close to them.
The team at The Spinney Care Home on Forest View took on a #BraveTheShave challenge at the home's summer party. So far they have raised £1,860 for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity, towards a target of £2,000.
The Spinney provides residential, specialist dementia and end-of-life care, and residents and staff often come together to support charities.
Business manager Gina Kitchenham faced the clippers alongside chef Luciano Rizzo, kitchen assistant Joshua Hand and senior carers Scott Jay and Awatef Eloubadi. Residents Ann and Gerald volunteered to do the shaving.
"It was very exciting to use the clippers and see their hair mount up on the floor," Ann said. "The five team members were very brave, and I think they all look great."
Saying thank you
For Gina, the day was a personal one. Her niece Phoebe was born with a hole in her heart and has 22q syndrome, a rare genetic condition. Phoebe had open heart surgery as a baby and has had care and numerous operations at Great Ormond Street throughout her childhood. She turns 18 next year, and Gina wanted to mark the milestone by giving something back.
"Great Ormond Street Hospital has played an important part in caring and supporting Phoebe her entire life," Gina said. "For us, this head shave is about much more than just losing our hair, it's about saying thank you to this amazing hospital for the incredible work they do that is life changing for so many children and their families.
"I felt excited rather than nervous about having my head shaved. Phoebe has said she is incredibly proud of me, and that she loves my new look!"
For senior carer Awatef Eloubadi, it was her second time braving the shave for a good cause.
"I had the privilege of participating in this event 25 years ago, following the loss of my nephew to leukaemia when he was 13," she said. "It was then that I came to understand the profound impact of undertaking acts of kindness for a worthy cause.
"My family are extremely proud of me, and I had not anticipated the outpouring of deeply personal comments from our residents and their families, all of which has provided a source of strength, encouraging me to walk tall with my bald head!"
The hospital also means a great deal to home manager Lisa Wright. Her younger brother Michael was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia when he was just 17 months old. Lisa was 11 at the time, and remembers Michael and their mum spending two years at Great Ormond Street while her grandfather helped look after the rest of the family.
"I think it's just marvellous that so many of our team were willing to change their appearance to raise money for the charity," Lisa said. "It takes a lot of guts! The whole home were thrilled to get behind them and cheer them on."
Elizabeth Kirby, from Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity, said: "We would like to say a huge thank you to all at The Spinney Care Home for their kind support of GOSH Charity and well done for already raising an amazing amount. Great Ormond Street Hospital wouldn't be the extraordinary place it is without the generosity of people like them!"
