Covid-19 is having a devastating impact on charities. Fundraising and charitable events, such as the London marathon, have been cancelled, charity shops are unable to open on the high street, staff numbers are reduced due to social distancing & self-isolation, and the public ability to donate is diminishing. All of this at a time when the work of charities is at its most important:

- Helping the most vulnerable affected by Coronavirus

- Supporting individual key workers

- Providing mental health and social support for those in self isolation or impacted by social distancing

As of 1st April I have been furloughed by my employer due to the Coronavirus outbreak, and am determined to use the month ahead to aid in any small way possible.

To help maintain my level of sanity (and until my NHS volunteering application comes through) I will be raising money doing Furlough Fancy-Dress, with proceeds split between Derby & Burton NHS Hospitals Charity, Rainbows Children’s Hospice, and Community Action Derby.

Derby & Burton NHS Hospitals Charity (https://dbhc.org.uk/) "Supporting our fantastic NHS staff, that are putting themsleves on the frontline"

Rainbows Children’s Hospice (https://www.rainbows.co.uk/) "Helping brighten short lives"

Community Action Derby (https://www.communityactionderby.org.uk/) "Foodbanks, and 'drugs and alcohol' services during the Covid-19 crisis"

With the added benefit of being able to mildly annoy my fiancé who is working from home, I have challenged myself to live out the next 30 days in the house in Fancy-Dress…a different outfit every day.

The current social distancing and Stay-At-Home guidance will mean my ability to source new fancy dress as an ‘essential good or service’ will be non-existent, presenting the additional test of having to make all outfits from items already in our home!

- Days 0-5: EASY. I’m not a complete fool, and I’ll be able to give myself a bit of a head start. It should be fairly straightforward with complete fancy dress I know I already own; I’ve got a Fireman, Father Christmas skin-tight morph suit, and a few other basics.

- Days 5-10: MODERATE. I Know I’ve previously worn some older outfits in facebook photos, and I’ve seen remnants of them lying around; a paper-mache rifle here, a tinfoil He-Man sword there. They’ll need patching up. I don’t have facepaint, but have plenty of water based acrylic. Harley-Quinn should be in here.

- Days 10-15: HARD. I’ll be scrounging by now, but promise I won’t let standards slip. Hoping to make day 15 by rationing clothes and brainstorming.

- Days 15-20: DIFFICULT. Entering the creative phase. We have some cardboard, and paint mentioned earlier. Suggestions will be welcomed.

- Days 20-25: EXTREME. By now desperation will have set in.

- Days 25-30: HERO. Are made up superheroes allowed?

This is going to be more difficult than I thought.

Please follow my progress or lack of, and frustration on instagram

@furloughfancydress

https://www.instagram.com/furloughfancydress/

THANK YOU!