SCARECROWS of key workers are appearing across Teesdale as part of a new weekly competition to raise spirits and funds for the NHS.
The competition, Covid Crowz, has been set up by the same team who created the online group, Covid Cutz, friends Tom How, Alex Humphries, Ben Alexander, Grace Howard and Scott Richardson.
They are hoping the competition will help raise spirits and add to the £3,000 they have raised by encouraging people to shave off their locks.
Mr Humphries, from West Terrace, Staindrop, said: “I can’t take credit for the idea, it was Tom’s and it’s a great one.
“We’re wanting people to get creative and make scarecrows of their heroes. It can be someone in the NHS, bin men, police, shop workers, farmers or fire service.
“It’s really a bit of fun. Something everyone can enjoy crafting amazing tributes to the hard workers all over the country.”
Each week, anyone entering the competition simply needs to send a photograph to the group.
Then the team will draw up a shortlist of three, which the public will be asked to vote on each Sunday, before the winner is announced.
Mr Humphries added: “We’ve had so much support from everyone, not just with Cutz, but with the scarecrows. It’s overwhelming how local businesses have got on board offering prizes, they’ve been so generous.”
Prizes have come flooding in, pledged by numerous dale businesses including vouchers for kennel stays, meals, baby clothes, books, tanning sessions and much more.
He said: “We have had so much support, but I especially want to say thank you to Ian Mulley, who runs Nimbus Vapes, as he has not only offered prizes, he donated £300 and has given hand sanitizer to the Richardson Hospital.
“The Cutz group is still growing and we’ve got more than 2,300 members.
“It’s been quite incredible how people have come on board with this. So far we’ve managed to raise £3,000, which is an amazing amount.
“Pat Chambers from the NHS Trust has also been in touch, as has Barney’s mayor, to say thank you, which is pretty amazing.”
Anyone who wants to get involved and enter their own effigy into the Covid Crowz competition should visit https://facebook.com/events/s/covid-crowz-week-1/852148071953789/?ti=as.
