Rockdirect's Nick Boardman recently ran the risk of losing his hair... and we're not talking the hair on his head!
Of course, while Rockdirect may be known for its extreme laptops, such extreme measures aren't normal in the office. Nope, this is, as you might expect, in the name of a good cause. Christmas is nearly here, and it's hard to believe that it was only last Boxing Day that the tragedy of the tsunami in Asia occurred. People gave generously to help those in immediate need, but now people need to rebuild their lives.
Children are among the most vulnerable. Many have lost their parents and family, without whom they have little hope of a future. However, we can do our bit. A relief fund for the children of Takaupa, Tailand, has been set up to help around 550 children both now and in the future. The fund will ensure an education can be provided for the children, and that there will be money to aid them when they reach the age of 18.
So where does Nick fit into all this? He is supporting the fund through sales of t-shirts on Tsunami-TShirt.com. Having visited the area in which the affected children reside, he said the following:
By supporting this specific fund, I know that every single baht raised will go directly to the children of Takuapa, supplying them with the full time education they need for a brighter future.
To boost aid to the fund, Nick got an idea when insulted by his co-director Luke (ah, the joys of the office.) When Nick was told he was overweight, he responded "I can lose weight, but you will always be ugly". A fair response, which was met by a "prove it!", which is just what Nick did. However, rather than proving that Luke will always be ugly, he decided to take the harder path and lose weight, raising money at the same time. To add a bit of incentive, if Nick didn't lose 2 stone by the VNU awards, he'd have forfeits to make, depending on the amount donated:
£0 - £499 - Wear a full face of make up at VNU award
£500 - £999 - Attend VNU with clothes on backwards
£1000 - £1499 - Shave hair off to grade 0
£1500 - £1999 - Attend VNU awards wearing a dress
£2000 + - Have a Back, Sack and Crack wax !
The forfeits were of course cumulative. Better still, the total pledge came in at £2500, so things were looking hairy (or hairless) for Nick.. Friday 18th November came... weigh-in time. His weight? 2st 2lb less than at the start. Nick was off the hook and the fund was £2500 better off. Everyone's a winner (except maybe Luke, if Nick's argument holds over the course of time.)
Hats off to Nick for his ballsy fundraiser, along with the rest of the Rockdirect team. If you want to contribute to the children's fund, visit Tsunami-Tshirt and buy a t-shirt.
