A BARNARD Castle furniture shop has smashed its fundraising target after staff braved head shaves and body waxing in support of a poorly child.
Oliviers Furniture Shop, in Galgate, brought in more than £1,700 in aid of eight-year-old Abigail Ford who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in May. The idea came because Abigail’s gran, Gina Russell, works at the shop, and her colleagues and the store’s owner, Paul Olivier, wanted to do something to help. The cash is being used to support the family and help them make precious memories.
The shop window display was taken over for the shave and waxing event on August 14 with Abigail feeling well enough to join in the fun. Mr Olivier was among those who donated his body to the good cause.
Mrs Russell said: “It was really successful. There was a lot of laughter and a few screams. With the money donated in the buckets on the day, along with sponsorship and customer collections, we raised £899. The online fundraising page is at £840 so we well and truly smashed our £1,000 target. We are so grateful to everyone who helped.”
Cash raised will be divided equally between the Abigail Ford Fund and Young Lives vs Cancer. Among those thanked include Morrisons for the donation of products and refreshments; Gillian Robinson, the community champion at Morrisons for her help to organising the event; Laura, from Morrisons, for helping with the waxing and collecting money; Becky, from Serene Spa, for helping with the waxing, Helen, from Serene Spa, for the use of her massage bed, Eric, who helped shaved the heads, and customer Ann, who collected money. Donation buckets will be left at the store and people can visit justgiving.com
/crowdfunding/oliviersfight
againstcancer.
Mrs Russell said Abigail was last week back in hospital and eagerly awaiting results of the latest tests.
“She’s a fighter – we call her ‘our little soldier’.”
