South Tyneside headteacher raises thousands as she prepares to brave the shave for Hebburn Helps food bank

Helen Smith, headteacher of St Oswalds CE VA Primary School in Hebburn and Bede Burn Primary School in Jarrow will return to her role with a bold new look after the lockdown measures are lifted.

The mum-of-two is set to brave the shave on Saturday, May 2 to fundraise for local food bank Hebburn Helps – which she says has been a lifeline for pupils and their families during the coronavirus outbreak.

As well as delivering food parcels and isolation packs, the team has been providing more than 100 packed lunches a day for children whose parents are struggling during the crisis.

Helen, who has been volunteering with Hebburn Helps on the days she is not in school, said she wanted to find a way to thank co-founders Angie Comerford and Jo Durkin.

“I’ve just been blown away by what Hebburn Helps have done for the school and the local community,” said the 40-year-old.

We’re finding that more and more of our families are struggling to feed their children. Angie and Jo have been magnificent in their support, putting referrals in for food parcels and helping us keep in touch with families.

“I just wanted to do anything I could to help, to say thank you for everything that they are doing for us.”

She added: “I thought as headteacher shaving my head might raise a bit of money - I did ring the school governors to make sure they were happy for me to come into school bald.”

Helen - who has enlisted the help of her daughter to shave her hair on Saturday - and says she is “a little nervous” ahead of the big event, has already raised more than £1,250 for the food bank.

“It’s just been amazing, I’m blown away by how generous everyone has been and the support I have received so far,” she said.

“It would be unbelievable if we could raise £2,000.”

Donate to Helen’s Go Fund Me page here

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