FOOTBALLERS braved the shave to help raise money for frontline NHS workers.

The Gas Recreation FC players sacrificed their hair and beards to help raise some much needed funds.

The idea was the brainchild of Jamie Cottee, 47, who is goalkeeper for the over 35’s team.

So far 14 players with the Colchester club have gone under the clippers and raised more than £1,000.

And some of the player’s children have also agreed to have their locks cut off to help boost the funds.

Gazette:

  • Jamie's transformation

Jamie’s partner Kelly Reeve said: “The idea came from sitting down and watching how much the NHS are struggling.

“Whilst being off of work we wanted to help and raise some money for the good job they are doing.

“Anyone who knows the Gas Rec knows they are a very family orientated team,who play at Bromley Road in Greenstead.

“There has been well over 14 people who have braved the shave, including some of the team players children, and donated money to this good cause.”

One of the players Shane Bethall decided to set up a fundraising page and donations began to sky rocket.

Kelly added: “It first all started as a laugh and seeing if we could raise money.

“The account was set up to raise £250 which was raised straight away with five haircuts.

“There was a large amount from their sponsor Shaun Hanney Scaffolding and then it has been on going since then with more and more donations.”

Gazette:

  • The team

Kelly said the team really wanted to get behind the workers on the frontline who are risking their lives to help keep us safe.

She added: “The NHS and key workers around at this time are so important to everyone in helping to keep this country safe.

“To them it’s just their job but to us it is everything and means more than they will ever know.

“Seeing on TV and social media everywhere about not enough personal protection equipment and how hard they are working, I think sometimes they are taken for granted and this is what spurred the shave on - to help in a way we can by raising money for them.”

The fundraising page has raised more than £870 in just one day.

You can donate by visiting bit.ly/2yzTHy2.

n Last week, Newsquest, the Gazette’s publisher, launched Support Our NHS Guardian Angels - a national bid across our newspaper group to raise cash for NHS Charities Together’s urgent Covid-19 appeal.

And by day six, kind-hearted readers had smashed our initial £5,000 target with donations now exceeding £10,000.

The appeal will remain active to generate as much financial support as possible.

NHS Charities Together is a collective experience representing, supporting and championing the work of the NHS’ official charities

Money will be used for food parcels, covering the cost of travel and accommodation for staff and to buy equipment or items requested by frontline workers.

Visit www.gofundme.com/f/ support-our-nhs-guardian-angels.