Great Northern’s Debbie braves the shave for mental health charity Mind

A member of staff at Great Northern’s Stevenage station has kissed goodbye to her shoulder-length locks all in the name of a charity close to her heart.

On Saturday, May 2, grandmother Debbie Davies live streamed herself on Facebook braving the shave in aid of the mental health charity Mind, smashing her target of £200 to raise an impressive £965. She said: “I’m absolutely shocked at the amount raised. I didn’t think I would get anywhere near £200. Rail users have sponsored me as well, so that’s really nice.”

Debbie, 56, who works on the ticket gate, is supporting Mind because people’s mental health is suffering more than ever as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Working on the railway, Debbie has also encountered people with mental health issues and her own son has suffered PTSD after serving in the army in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Mind is also one of Govia Thameslink Railway’s charity partners following a vote by colleagues last summer.

Mum-of-four Debbie, who lives in Stevenage and has worked on the railway for six and a half years, said: “This is a charity close to my heart, representing a beacon of hope for people suffering during this difficult time and for those already managing mental health challenges.

“I was actually looking forward to having my head shaved; I wasn’t nervous. It’s a weird world at the moment, so it’s good to be able to do something positive. My husband has been very supportive, my daughter thinks I’m crazy and my son joked that he would pay me not to do it!”

Stevenage Station Manager Marc Edwards said: “We’re really proud of Debbie for supporting Mind at such a crucial time and we’re amazed at how much she has managed to raise.”

Mind Events Fundraising Manager Maria Khosla said: “We’re so grateful to Debbie for choosing to fundraise for Mind. We’re facing huge demand for our advice and information about staying well and looking after your mental health, as well as needing to support our local Minds to adapt their services and keep our Infoline and legal line running, so any donations raised make a difference to those of us experiencing a mental health problem.”

Notes to editors

For more information on how to manage your mental health during coronavirus, visit: www.mind.org.uk/coronavirus

If you would like to donate, Debbie’s fundraising page can be found at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/trimming-for-mind1964

Debbie has worked at Stevenage station for one and a half years. Prior to that, she spent three years at Hatfield station and two years at Biggleswade station.

For more information on GTR’s corporate charities, visit https://www.thameslinkrailway.com/about-us/corporate-and-social-responsibility/charities