Mental Health Charity Benefits From TotalKare Manager’s ‘Beard-Off’

By Steve Braund

A TotalKare manager is looking considerably more fresh-faced this month after shaving off his beard for charity.

Steve Braund, Marketing Manager for TotalKare, had worn a beard for more than 20 years prior to braving the shave, which he did in aid of West Bromwich charity The Kaleidoscope Plus Group.

The charity works to promote and support positive mental health and wellbeing in the West Midlands and further afield, benefiting from a number of high profile individuals as ambassadors including Darren Moore, current manager of West Bromwich Albion FC and Matt Murray, former Wolverhampton Wanderers footballer and current Sky television pundit.

In total, Steve raised an impressive £1501.38 for The Kaleidoscope Plus Group.

Saving and changing lives

“Initially I’d hoped to maybe raise £100, which enables The Kaleidoscope Plus Group to train a mental health first aider,” said Steve, “It’s a cause I’m very passionate about, and to have raised 15 times that amount is overwhelming because it will literally save and/or positively change lives.

“The support I received from friends and family was tremendous, but this was more than matched by both my colleagues at TotalKare and the Company itself. Collectively they have contributed at least half of the total raised, which is amazing!”

Incredible gesture

So what’s it like being clean shaven after so long with a beard?

“It was probably about time to let my chin see daylight, and after so many had pledged their support there was no way I was going to back out,” Steve laughs, “A lot of people have pointed out I look about ten years younger – I’ll take that!”

Monica Shafaq, CEO of The Kaleidoscope Plus Group, was grateful for Steve’s show of support: “For Steve to shave his beard off in support of us was an incredible gesture and we feel really privileged.”

Steve’s fundraising page on the Just Giving website will remain open until the end of September 2018 – if you would like to support his efforts, all donations are gratefully received.