FUNDRAISER: Poorly Abigail Ford’s grandmother Gina Russell and store manager Shane Carter are inviting people to watch Oliviers Furniture Shop staff brave head shaves and body waxing
FUNDRAISER: Poorly Abigail Ford’s grandmother Gina Russell and store manager Shane Carter are inviting people to watch Oliviers Furniture Shop staff brave head shaves and body waxing

STAFF at a Barnard Castle furniture shop are to brave public head shaves and body waxing in support of a colleague’s poorly grandchild.
A display window at Oliviers Furniture Shop, on Galgate, will be taken over for the shave and waxing event on Saturday, August 14, in a bid to raise cash for eight-year-old Abigail Ford who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in May.
Her grandmother, Gina Russell, has worked at the shop for the past ten years and the idea to hold a fundraising day was made by owner Paul Olivier. Mrs Russell said: “As you can appreciate it has been a devastating time for the family since Abigail was diagnosed.
“Oliviers, as a local family owned and family run business with family values, has been very supportive of me since her diagnosis – they are wonderful.
“We are very thankful as a family for all of the support that we have received from everywhere, and I am particularly grateful for the support of my boss and colleagues.”
Cash raised during the event will be divided equally between the Abigail Ford Fund and Young Lives vs Cancer. People are now being invited to the store at 2pm on the day to watch staff take on their different challenges and to make a donation.
People can also visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/oliviersfightagainstcancer to make a contribution.
The store would also like to here from local hairdressers and beauticians who can help do the shaves and waxing on the day. Those who can help can call the shop on 01833 631555.
Mrs Russell praised her granddaughter’s resilience following the diagnosis.
The proud grandmother said: “She is taking it in her stride – she is an amazing little girl. Her granddad bought her a dinosaur joke book and she has been reading that to her family.”