Hunts and their supporters are always coming up with new and innovative ways to fundraise, but the latest from the VWH – which raised in excess of £2,500 for charity – was particularly unusual.
Daniel Hague, well-known photographer and son of the VWH’s huntsman, Philip Hague, volunteered to have his entire body waxed in aid of the Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance.
The waxing took place in the puppy show marquee on Saturday 21 June, where “Holly the waxist” got to work. Holly, who was recommended by a hunt supporter, shared Daniel’s blushes by not tackling any “sensitive areas” which was a relief for all concerned, including the 60-strong audience who came to witness the depilation.
“There was quite a build-up to the event and it had started to become a bit of a joke about how painful it would be,” explained Daniel. “However, it wasn’t quite as bad as everyone made out it was going to be! Not that I would want to do it again, but it was all for a great cause, so it was worth it all.”
The idea to take on this challenge was first mooted several years ago following a hunting fall of one of the hunt’s subscribers who required the services of Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance one day. Daniel said he would only take on the challenge if it raised a minimum of £1,000. On this basis, and without Daniel’s knowledge, Lucy Kernon and Mark Whitfield - chairman and members’ secretary of the VWH farmers’ and supporters’ club respectively - set up a fundraising page.
“The first I knew that it was actually going to happen, was when one of the hunt supporters contacted me to say they’d donated enough to push the fundraising over the £1,000 threshold,” explained Daniel. “At which point there was no backing out!”
“The generosity of the hunting community knows no bounds and Daniel’s dedication to the cause is quite extraordinary. is an incredibly good sport for taking on this unusual fundraising challenge in aid of the local air ambulance,” enthused Polly Portwin, Director of the Campaign for Hunting at the Countryside Alliance. “Anyone who has ever witnessed the air ambulance in action, whether that’s on the hunting field or in any other circumstances, will recognise the importance of this fabulous charity which hunts across the country regularly fundraise for.”
Daniel has recently published his second hunting photography book which can be purchased on the Countryside Alliance’s stand at the Festival of Hounds on Wednesday 16 July, or directly through Daniel’s website HERE.