Fancy dress is a pretty common means of attracting attention to raise money for charity, but for these costumed campaigners in Shropshire, it all ended in controversy.
A group of men opted to push a bed around their hometown to raise some much-needed money for Ludlow Hospital - an ongoing fundraiser which men in their local community have done every year for decades. As part of their efforts, seven of them dressed up as female nurses and were accepting donations outside the Ludlow Brewing Co.
Incredibly, they managed to raise £2,500 ($3,205).
But when they went to present the cash to Ludlow Hospital, their efforts were rejected. Their donation was turned down because the men's outfits were deemed 'demeaning' and 'insulting'.
Jan Ditheridge, chief executive of Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust reportedly sent a letter to Peter Corfield, chair of Ludlow Hospital League of Friends, which said: "The presentation of men dressed as female nurses in a highly-sexualised and demeaning way is wrong, very outdated and insulting to the profession."
But the rejection has disappointed the people who worked hard to raise those funds. Many have taken to social media to vent their frustration.
Alison Hiles, whose husband took part in the event, told the BBC: "Nobody's complained. Everybody seems to enter into the spirit of it; locals know that it's going on. Those that aren't local really enjoy the event and always have a chat with the lads and willingly give money. Nobody forces them.
"I really don't know why all of a sudden that it's a problem."
But Ms Ditheridge has responded to the anger, saying that she's previously asked the group that they don't raise funds in that way, and therefore they believe it's right to refuse the money.
The cash raised by the group was going to be used to pay for ECG machines for outpatients and minor injuries departments, but now that plan has had to be scrapped.
Featured Image Credit: Ludlow Brewery/FacebookTopics: Social Media
