Leigh Park volunteers inspire Lancashire Covid-19 nurse to shave her head for FoodBank PO9

On Saturday, NHS worker Jennifer Cross from Nelson, Lancashire, will be shaving her brunette hair live on Facebook in order to raise funds for FoodBank PO9 which helps vulnerable families and individuals across the Havant area.

The 31-year-old is working on the front line with Covid-19 critical care patients at Royal Blackburn Hospital, but felt she wanted to do more to recognise the work of key workers pushing on through this pandemic.

During a meeting in Tortoise Media’s Unheard Voices series with key workers including bus drivers and funeral directors, Jennifer heard the story of Darren McKenna and FoodBank PO9.

Darren has run the food bank for seven years with no government or grant funding to date and is fulfilling referrals from so many local organisations and authorities at this time that demand has increased by 500 per cent some weeks.

After hearing his story, Jennifer saw her opportunity to help. She had been wanting to brave the shave for some time and believed she had found a cause worthy of her lovely brown locks, so offered to help raise funds and awareness for FoodBank PO9.

Jennifer, who has been a nurse for five years, said: ‘They’re all doing it with no wage, I thought it was a really good thing for them to do. In this current situation, what better place to donate to than a food bank?’

The FoodBank PO9 team of volunteers deliver to more than 100 households a week with food and essentials and are completely dependent on donations from businesses and individuals in the community.

Darren said: ‘Her offer brought tears to my eyes. Our food bank is held so dearly in our community but for somebody outside of the PO9 to notice its importance and to make such an amazing offer is incredibly humbling. Jennifer Cross is the superhero I want to be when I grow up!’

Tune into the FoodBank PO9 Facebook group this Saturday at midday to see Jennifer complete this feat and help her reach her £2,400 target by donating at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/bravetheshavefoodbankpo9.

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