With the hairdressers closed, Rod Brett, Workshop Manager at R.C. Boreham & Co, an agricultural dealership based in Chelmsford, raised over £1,500 by letting his son Ben cut his hair and leaving the decision on how short to go in the hands of his colleagues, family and friends.
Rod, 62, received at least £1000 in sponsorship meaning he received a short ‘number 1’ cut. Usually at this time of year, Rod and his colleagues at the company take part in Race4Business – a 3.5 mile charity run based around Chelmsford City Centre organised for the first time this year by Havens Hospices. Sadly due the pandemic the event was cancelled, inspiring Rod to take on a different type of challenge:
“The challenge began as a bit of a bet to start with – the hairdressers had been closed due to lockdown rules and my hair had got so long so I thought I would cut it off for charity and it evolved from there. With the Race4Business event sadly cancelled this year I thought any money we raised could go to Havens Hospices.”
He continued, “Race4Business is a great team event that creates plenty of inter-department competitiveness at Borehams, and doubles as a social event for work. I have taken part every year since 2007 and so has my son Ben who was the ‘hairdresser’ on the day. Although all of us were disappointed the race wasn’t able to take place, we are very much looking forward to next year’s event. I want to thank everyone for their generosity – from colleagues, customers and suppliers to family and friends – I had the easy job!“
Havens Hospices is a charity close to R.C Boreham & Co’s heart and they know how much of a positive impact the charity’s care has on families. The Partners of the business have a member of their family who receives care at Little Havens Hospice.
Anna Hunter, one of the Partners at R.C. Boreham & Co said, “We thought Rod’s idea of a haircut lockdown style and ‘the more money raised, the shorter the haircut’ was brilliant! We look forward to the Race4Business every year and would usually fund the entry fee for all the staff and guest runners that are part of Team RCB. Instead this year we have pledged £150 to take the total Rod has raised over the £1,500 mark.”
“As a family, we have experienced the fantastic care and support given from Little Havens. It really is a joyous place which truly sums up Havens Hospices’ motto – Together, we’re ‘Making every day count’. We have no doubt that the same invaluable support is provided to adults, teenagers and other children through Havens Hospices’ other services. A big well done to Rod and we hope that others will take inspiration from him and think of other ways to raise money during this pandemic, where so many events have been cancelled.”
Rachel Hawksworth, Voluntary Income Team Leader at Havens Hospices said, “We can’t thank Rod and all the team at R.C. Boreham & Co enough for their generous support – sticking by us and continuing to raise money for the charity even though the Race4Business event was cancelled. It is because of businesses like theirs that we’re able to continue providing our essential palliative and supportive care to children and adults across Essex when they need us most.
“We have been following Rod’s ‘hair journey’ closely to see if his family and friends would raise enough money for him to have his hair cut the shortest it could go, and they certainly did. Thank you again for organising this brilliant fundraiser in lieu of Race4Business and we can’t wait to be back in Chelmsford’s City Centre next year so we can continue to raise thousands of pounds for local hospice care.”
To take on a challenge to raise money for local hospice care, consider the Havens Hospices’ virtual ‘30 in 30’ challenge. For more information on how to get involved, visit 30in30.havenshospices.org.uk
