Doncaster woman grows beard to raise charity cash for NHS colleagues

A female Doncaster hospital manager is growing a beard – to raise charity cash for her NHS colleagues.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Hazel Wiggins, an office manager at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, has embarked on the unusual fundraiser this month to gather funds for the organisation’s charity.

Hazel, an Information Projects and Change Team Manager, is growing her beard, spurred on by sponsorship from her friends, family and colleagues.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Hazel, who describes herself as a ‘woman of a certain age’, has downed her tweezers for the month in a show of support to her colleagues with the aim of raising money for DBTH Charity, with funds earmarked for the benefit of colleagues fighting Covid-19.

Hazel Wiggins is growing her beard for charity - and she mocked up how it may look.Hazel Wiggins is growing her beard for charity - and she mocked up how it may look.
Hazel Wiggins is growing her beard for charity - and she mocked up how it may look.

Hazel said: “I wanted to do something for the team, whom I know are doing a wonderful job navigating their way through the challenges of the last few months and those they will face over the winter. In some small way, I wanted to show them how much I admire them and let them know how proud I am to be a part of what they do for our local community.”

She was inspired to start the fundraiser after she changed her daily routine owing to the need to wear PPE at work.

She said: “Wearing a face covering at work has given me a new-found sense of freedom. I don’t feel the need to wear makeup anymore and I gave up on my daily plucking. I shielded during the first lockdown so the only person who saw my beard was my husband – he’s growing his too so that he doesn’t notice the prickles!”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Hazel, who has worked at the Hospital Trust for 15 years, initially set a target of £100 and, having already surpassed that, now has her eyes on the £200 marker.

As well as raising money for the hospital charity, Hazel hopes that her unique fundraiser will help other women feel able to share and talk about natural changes to their bodies. She said: “I do wonder how many other women in the same position will feel aligned to me. It’s not something we talk about really but it would be nice if it felt normal to do so.”

If you would like to support Hazel, you can do so by heading to JustGiving.com and searching ‘Hazel Wiggins.’