Woman shaves hair for Pendragon Community Trust centre

Claire Garbutt, from Hovingham, cut her hair to raise money for the Pendragon Community Trust which has helped her friend’s autistic and non-verbal son.

She said she regularly takes her friend Donna Beadle’s three-year-old son Grayson to the trust’s multi-sensory centre in Northallerton.

The 64-year-old, who works at Thomas the Baker in Helmsley, praised the centre, saying Grayson is “relaxed” while there and “enjoys it so much”.

Claire Garbutt before shaving her head to raise money for the Pendragon Community Trust (Image: Supplied)

She also said the facility offers respite for parents of SEND children.

The centre provides a safe space for people with special educational needs and disabilities.

It is a fully padded area with a giant soft slide, interactive walls and floors, a ball pool, a waterbed and more.

The Pendragon Community Trust offers sessions for adults, children and toddlers/babies at the centre.

Claire Garbutt after shaving her head to raise money for the Pendragon Community Trust (Image: Supplied)

Claire said she wanted to raise money for the centre, deciding to take part in a sponsored head shave on Wednesday, July 1, at the Cutting Shed, between Helmsley and Beadlam.

It was the second time that Claire had shaved her head for charity after previously cutting her hair off some years ago to raise money to support cancer research.

“Pendragon did the Northallerton 10k [to raise money] and I thought, I can’t run or walk that – what can I do to help them?” she said.

“I just thought, I’ll have my head shaved again.”

Claire raised £1,259 for the Pendragon Multi Sensory Centre through her efforts and is still accepting sponsorships via the Cutting Shed.

“I’m overwhelmed with the support and a special thank you to Anna who shaved my head from the Cutting Shed,” Claire said.

“My target was £1,000 so I’m absolutely over the moon I’ve got more. I can’t thank everyone enough for their support and generosity.”

On her new hairdo, Claire said: “It’s been fun. People have said I look younger which helps.”

A spokesperson for the Pendragon Community Trust thanked Claire for her support.

“We are very, very happy that Claire chose us as a charity to raise money for,” they said.

“We are always looking for people to fundraise for us and we’re very grateful when people do.

“Claire regularly visits the centre with the little boy she supports, and we are really grateful to her for doing this.”

For more information about the Pendragon Multi Sensory Centre, visit www.pendragon-ct.org/multi-sensory-centre/