Portsmouth councillor urges people to dress up and feel good during fundraising efforts for Music Fusion and Mermaids

Raising funds for two charities close to her heart, Portsmouth councillor Claire Udy is dressing up in her finest outfits each day and trying out a colourful makeup look to encourage others to make an effort.

Her fundraiser, called Why The Eff Not, also incorporates dry January, eating a vegetarian diet and walking 10,000 steps a day.

Claire said: ‘In December I dressed up a few times for full council meetings. People on my Facebook loved it so I came up with an idea to incorporate all the January fundraisers into one.

‘Really it’s to get people who have been stuck in lockdown who haven’t been able to wear their gladrags to dress up and feel good. People just aren’t doing any of that any more.’

As champion for both LGBT issues and children and young people, Claire is raising funds for Havant-based young people’s charity Music Fusion and Mermaids, a charity supporting transgender and gender diverse children.

Claire and her husband were live streaming quizzes and other events during the first lockdown and raised around £1,000 for Music Fusion.

She said: ‘I love what Music Fusion do. Supporting Mermaids is always something that’s been dear to my heart because I have been an LGBT campaigner for so long.

‘For the teenagers and young people that I represent at the council, it shows I’m doing something while we’re not able to meet in person.’

SEE ALSO: Volunteers work hard to collect vital IT equipment and laptops for homeschooled children

Having raised nearly £300 to split between the charities, Claire is on track to meet her £500 target by the end of the month.

Her fundraising efforts are being documented each day on TikTok and her councillor page on Facebook, hoping to encourage others to put on their favourite outfits even if they aren’t leaving the house.

Claire’s looks so far have included sparkly dresses, rainbow eyeshadow and plenty more.

She added: ‘I want more people to dress up. I feel like I’m going to run out of clothes but I do still have outfits to go’’

To follow her efforts or donate, visit facebook.com/cllrclaireudy

Alternatively, see the donation page here.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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