Hazel Wiggins, Information Projects and Change Team Manager from Rotherham, is growing her beard, spurred on by sponsorship from her friends, family and colleagues.
Hazel, who describes herself as a ‘woman of a certain age’, has downed her tweezers for the month of November in a show of support to her colleagues with the aim of raising money to support them through the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Hazel said: “I wanted to do something for my colleagues, whom I know are doing a wonderful job navigating their way through the challenges of the last few months and the challenges they face over the coming winter. In some small way, I wanted to show them how much I admire them and let them know how proud I am to be a small part of what they do for our local community.
Hazel was inspired to start the fundraiser after she changed her daily routine owing to the need to wear PPE at work. She said: “Wearing a face covering at work has given me a new-found sense of freedom. I don’t feel the need to wear makeup anymore and I gave up on my daily plucking. I shielded during the first lockdown so the only person who saw my beard was my husband – he’s growing his too so that he doesn’t notice the prickles!”
Hazel, who has worked at the Hospital Trust for 15 years, initially set a target of £100 and, having already surpassed that, now has her eyes on the £200 marker.
As well as raising money for the hospital charity, Hazel hopes that her unique fundraiser will help other women feel able to share and talk about natural changes to their bodies. She said: “I do wonder how many other women in the same position will feel aligned to me. It’s not something we talk about really but it would be nice if it felt normal to do so.”
If you would like to support Hazel in her ‘chin up’ adventure, you can do so by heading to JustGiving.com and searching ‘Hazel Wiggins.’
If you have an equally daring or creative fundraising idea, visit dbth.nhs.uk/charity to see all of the ways you can support, and donate to your local hospital. Fundraising packs are available to download.
