Holt Recruitment, a recruitment company based in Bournemouth, recently raised more than £2,500 for Home-Start Wessex during a week of unusual charity challenges.

The money will help the charity support local families in need, particularly homeless families with young children during the festive season.

The challenges, set by Holt’s senior management, involved the team completing a series of quirky tasks, with the company pledging donations for each one successfully finished.

Highlights included Niki Birrell and Samuel Robinson shaving their heads on Day 1, an office-wide conga on Day 2, and a giant Macarena performance on Day 4, featuring Caroline Pope from Home-Start Wessex.

The week wrapped up with male consultants bravely enduring waxing, with one team member even going as far as getting a permanent tattoo to show his dedication.

Their efforts helped Home-Start Wessex reach its £2,500 pledge target, allowing the charity to participate in the Big Give Christmas Challenge, the UK’s largest collaborative fundraising event.

Through the Big Give, the charity has the chance to double its donations, with public contributions matched by Big Give Champions during the campaign’s online donation phase.

Karen Wheeler, Global Head of Automotive at Holt Recruitment, expressed her pride in the team’s commitment: “We were thrilled to pledge the funds Home-Start Wessex needed to support young mums this Christmas. A huge shout-out to the team for being such great sports.”

Holt Recruitment’s partnership with Home-Start Wessex is not new. Earlier this year, the team raised over £7,000 by completing a Zig Zag to Everest Challenge, climbing Bournemouth’s zigzag paths to match the height of Mount Everest in a single day.

Caroline Pope, Corporate Partnerships & Marketing Manager at Home-Start Wessex, said: “The money raised will make a life-changing difference to vulnerable families in our local communities. We are incredibly grateful to Holt Recruitment for their continued support.”

She also revealed that Holt Recruitment had been nominated for the Home-Start UK Corporate Volunteer Award for their efforts.

Founded in 1995, Home-Start Wessex has supported over 3,500 families in Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and the surrounding areas. The charity offers friendship, practical advice, and support to families facing difficulties, including poor mental health, disability, domestic abuse, and isolation.

Those who want to contribute can do so during the Big Give Christmas Challenge from 3rd to 10th December by visiting the Big Give website. Donations made during this period will be matched.