Marple shop owner raises over £4000 for local charity with lockdown haircut

Sarah Laker, owner of shop Stationery Supplies, in Marple, has raised over £4000 for nearby charity, Mellor Country House, by agreeing to have her head shaved.

The Marple shop owner had originally aimed to raise £250 for the charity, however Sarah raised her fundraising target to £3,500, enough to cover a month’s costs of Mellor Country House.

Like many charities, Mellor Country House had been forced to cancel one its principal fundraising events of the year, an annual plant sale, as a result of the coronavirus lockdown. The sale in 2019 raised over £22,000 for the charity.

The charity offers accommodation for up to 24 guests in the village of Mellor, allowing people from disadvantaged backgrounds in Greater Manchester to enjoy a holiday in the countryside when they may not otherwise be able to afford it. Established in 1907, Mellor Country House operates an 11-bedroom self-catering property set in three acres of garden and woodland.

Marple shop owner, Sarah Laker said on her fundraising site:

As a business I’ve supported Mellor Country House for many years, and even more years as a family. It is a much-loved local charity that provides a safe, secure, relaxing and uplifting environment to people in need.

“When I heard about the devastating impact the Coronavirus pandemic is having on them, I felt compelled to take action.

“In these hard times communities need to pull together more than ever before to make sure that the places we treasure – local charities, shops, pubs, restaurants, service providers – are still here when this virus is beaten.

“We are stronger together!”

In a blog post on their website, the team at Mellor Country House said:

We are so grateful for Sarah’s efforts and bravery. The funds raised will make a huge difference to the Charity this year with the challenges we face due to Covid-19.

“The Charity needs more people like Sarah and all the people who have donated, so that Mellor Country House will survive the pandemic and be there for the vulnerable people when this is all over.”

Sarah Laker completed her challenge, streaming her haircut on her Marple shop’s Facebook page on Sunday 10th of May however her JustGiving page remains open to anyone wishing to donate to support Mellor Country House.