The Leader of Milton Keynes Council, Cllr Peter Marland, has raised over £3,000 in sponsorship to shave his head.
Cllr Marland is completing the shave to raise vital funds for a children’s hospice that supports children and families in Milton Keynes and surrounding areas.
Due to lockdown and the continued closure of barbers and hairdressers, like others all across the country Cllr Marland hasn’t had a haircut since January.
He originally pledged that if he could raise £1,500 for Helen & Douglas House Children’s Hospice then he would get the clippers out for charity.
But he has now raised more than double that, with the total amount donated now standing at over £3,000.
Helen & Douglas House, based in Oxford, provides specialist palliative and end of life care to children, including those from Milton Keynes.
They care for children and young people up to the age of 18 at both their Hospice and through their outreach service and are reliant on fundraising to continue to provide their vital services and support.
Cllr Marland is now a trustee of the charity after a close family member died there last year.
Like most other charities, Helen & Douglas House’s income from fundraising has been heavily hit by the Covid-19 crisis and the restrictions on gatherings and cancellation of community and fundraising events.
Launching the fundraising effort a few weeks ago, Cllr Marland said: “Helen & Douglas House provide vital care and support to families when they need it the most. Their specialist team are incredible and they need support now more than ever."
“It’s been inspiring to see the creative ways that people in MK and around the country have continued to support their favourite charities during lockdown."
"Whether that be taking on garden marathons, running virtual quiz nights and of course Captain Sir Tom Moore completing his 100 garden laps, so this is a little something I can do to support a charity close to my heart."
“I’ll be delighted if I can hit my fundraising target as I know this will make a real difference to the children and families that Helen & Douglas House support at this difficult time.”
You can visit Cllr Marland’s JustGiving page here: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/petemarland
And Cllr Marland isn't the only Milton Keynes local councillor raising money for charity at this difficult time.
Cllr James Lancaster, who is also a team member for Premier Inn Milton Keynes, is setting himself and his team a challenge to raise £1,000 for Great Ormond Street Hospital.
He will be walking to every Premier Inn hotel in the home counties region, starting at the hotel at Caldecotte Lake, moving to Furzton Lake, Willen Lake and then finishing at the Old Barn in Central Milton Keynes.
You can read more about his appeal and find out how to donate in our story here.
