Working at the car wash - for charity

It was a wet morning for one director at Hertsmere Borough Council, after swapping his desk and computer for a wet sponge and bucket to raise money for charity.

Glen Wooldrige, Director of Environment, washed eight staff member’s cars after volunteering to take part in a Director’s Charity Challenge set by staff.

Glen, the first of three directors to take up the challenge, raised over £220 for charity by selling raffle tickets to staff. The first eight tickets pulled out of the bag got their car washed and valeted. The ninth ticket won a £50 Zinco restaurant voucher - as donated by Fitness Hand Car Wash, based behind the venue off Elstree Way in Borehamwood, and Zinco’s restaurant in Borehamwood.

On completing his charity challenge, Glen, said: "I’m no spring chicken, so it was definitely hard work - it’s usually my brain that gets a work out at work. I think after the sixth car my arms were calling out for a rest and my back had seized up. Hopefully those who had their cars cleaned were pleased!"

Glen adds: "I’d like to thank everyone who bought a raffle ticket helping to raise over £228 for our chosen charities. I’d also like to thank Lawrence Swerin at Fitness Hand Car Wash for allowing me to use their facilities to complete my challenge. In addition to donating money for a complimentary meal with Zinco’s restaurant, they also offered to clean the inside of the eight cars for free."

Lawrence from Fitness Hand Car Wash, said: "We were delighted to be able to support Hertsmere Borough Council with their charity challenge in valeting the cars and donating £25 towards the complimentary meal at Zinco’s."

In the coming weeks two other directors are completing their challenges. Sajida Bijle, Director of Resources, is spending a morning working on the council’s reception and Donald Graham, Chief Executive, will become a human teas maid for a day to make a cup of tea for all staff.

Staff were able to nominate their chosen charity and then vote for which charity they wanted the money to go to. All the money raised through all three charity challenges will be split as follows:

1.      Cancer Research             18%   
2.      Macmillan Nurses            16%
3.      Noah's Ark                  15%
4.      Help for heroes             13%
5.      Alzheimers Society          12%
6.      Mencap Leisure together     10%
7.      NSPCC                        9%
8.      Action Duchenne              7%