Home Local News Bannatyne Skelmersdale staff member braves head shave for Operation Smile

Bannatyne Skelmersdale staff member braves head shave for Operation Smile

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A Front of House Manager at Bannatyne’s Health Club in Skelmersdale has braved a complete head shave, raising £1,600 for Operation Smile.

Helen Randles, 53, from Skelmersdale had her head completely shaved by Darren from Hair Trimmers, in front of colleagues and members, during Operation Smile Week. Helen raised £1600 for the charity.

Previously, Helen, who has worked with The Bannatyne Group for six years, has organised other fundraising initiatives for Operation Smile, including a sponsored belly dance last year. Helen is keen to support the charity, as she has a personal connection to somebody who has benefitted from cleft palette surgery.

Operation Smile is an international children’s medical charity with a presence in more than 60 countries, whose network of more than 5,400 medical volunteers from over 80 countries is dedicated to helping improve the health and lives of children. Since its founding in 1982, Operation Smile has provided hundreds of thousands of free surgeries for children and young adults born with cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial deformities.

To build long-term self-sufficiency in resource poor environments, Operation Smile trains doctors and local medical professionals in its partner countries so they are empowered to treat their local communities. Operation Smile also donates medical equipment, supplies and provides year-round medical treatment through its worldwide centres.

Helen said: “In some countries, having a cleft lip can deemed as socially undesirable and the surgery that Operation Smile provides can have a dramatic effect on a person’s life, not just in the physical sense but also wellbeing and the opportunities it can create.

“I have seen first-hand the difference having this surgery can make and I wanted to do something drastic to raise as much money as possible for a wonderful charity. I feel proud that my friends, colleagues and members have supported me and would like to thank everyone who donated.”

Phill Nuttall, General Manager at Bannatyne Skelmersdale, said: “Helen is great member of staff and an extremely selfless person. I thought she was joking when she said she was going to shave her head for charity, but she has proven that if it is for a good cause, she is willing to do absolutely anything!

“We are proud to call her a work colleague and a friend, and I am so pleased that she has managed to raise a fantastic amount of money. It has been great to see all of our members and staff working together during Operation Smile Week and I hope that we can add to Helen’s total.”

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