Member Article

Hairdresser for the Homeless receives Leesa Legacy Award

Joshua Coombes, hairdresser and founder of the global #dosomethingfornothing movement came to Manchester to pick up a special award for his work with the homeless.

Coombes is the first recipient of the Leesa Legacy Award by CEO Sleepout UK set up by the Manchester-based online mattress company and charity CEO Sleepout UK to celebrate an individual who has gone above and beyond to support homelessness in their community.

The Award, was presented by Managing Director of Leesa UK and Europe, Richard Tucker, alongside Sandy Mitchell from Lancashire County Cricket Club - hosts of Manchester’s next CEO Sleepout event in May.

Joshua was recognised for his personal contribution towards the homeless with the aim of motivating others of the impact an individual can have in their communities, as well as on a global scale.

Managing Director of Leesa UK and Europe, Richard Tucker, explains: “Joshua was deemed the stand-out first recipient of the award for going way above and beyond his regular hair-dressing work, taking his skills to the streets and cutting the hair of the homeless for free. His Instagram portraits of homeless men and women on our streets and the stories they have to tell are truly inspiring.

“Alongside his friends Matt Spracklen and Dave Burt, Joshua has also pioneered the #dosomethingfornothing movement. Together they have set out to raise compassion in people to inspire them to go do something for someone, however small.”

The award launched today at Manchester charity, Mustard Tree, marking a significant step forward for Leesa and CEO Sleepout who are jointly committed to helping the homeless globally.

Leesa will continue to support CEO Sleepout UK events in 2017 and join other business leaders for a night under the Manchester skies at Emirates Old Trafford on 15th May to raise money to help the homeless.

On receiving the award, Coombes, comments: “I’ve always been the person that stops and chats to homeless on the street so when listening to the awful events happening all over the world, I feel the same as everyone else: what can I do, this is a huge problem. This is sort of my answer to that and its great to be recognised by Leesa, particularly with its strong focus on giving back, for making a difference. With #DoSomethingForNothing becoming a global movement I’m hoping others will be inspired. Whether that may be to help someone sleeping rough or anyone in need of support, if this has made you think or be inspired to go do something for someone, however small, simply share it using the hashtag.”

From its start, Leesa UK has measured its success not by its bottom line, but by the company’s overall social impact. Through its Leesa One-Ten programme, Leesa Sleep has donated over 9,000 mattresses globally to those in need of a better place to sleep.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Josie Bell .