Now the Hanley beautician is staging a 24-hour fundraiser this weekend
16:36, 12 Sep 2025Updated 05:45, 13 Sep 2025
Lucy Howlett-Roberts is raising money for The UK Sepsis Trust
A beautician is holding a 24-hour charity ‘nailathon’ to raise money for The UK Sepsis Trust – after her father passed. Lucy Howlett-Roberts says she is ‘determined’ to raise as much money and awareness as possible.
The 28-year-old will be performing manicures – uninterrupted – from 9am today (September 13) until 9am Sunday. Lucy will also be holding a month-long raffle with 45 prizes donated by local businesses, with prizes being handed out on September 29.
Her father, Alan Howlett, tragically died aged just 56 after developing sepsis following a chest infection in June, 2024. She says the traumatic loss has inspired her to do several charity drives over the 12 months.
Lucy, of Waterhayes, told StokeonTrentLive: “My Dad had sepsis three times, before it came to a head last year. He got it again, and we didn’t know. He died before we had any idea what was going on. It was absolutely devastating. My Dad was my favourite person. He inspired me so much in life – he always encouraged me to launch my own business.
Lucy Howlett-Roberts and her father, Alan(Image: Submitted)
“One of the reasons I’m doing this is because I feel that more awareness needs to be raised around sepsis. We all hear about people dying from cancer and strokes. We all know the signs to watch out for and what to do. But we don’t hear that much about sepsis – even though many people are affected by it.
“And sepsis can change your world so quickly. It turned my family’s world upside down overnight. I always think that if there was more support and awareness, this might not have happened. That’s why I want to do this and raise as much awareness as I can.”
Self-employed Lucy – who owns award-winning business LH Beauty & Nails – says this is her most ambitious charity bid yet.
“I’ve done raffles, the step challenge, all sorts of stuff,” she explained. “But I wanted to do something different and something bigger. I was having a hard time coming up with ideas. I brainstormed all the things I’m good at – and I realised the thing I’m best at is my job. So I thought, why not work for 24 hours?
“We’ve got 23 clients booked to come in to have their nails done over a full 24-hour period. I was worried about getting people in for the night-time slots at first. Who wants to get their nails done at 4am? But actually, all the night-time appointments went first! I’m really glad because it would’ve been a bit embarrassing if only three people signed up.”
Lucy Howlett-Roberts is hoping to raise as much money as possible
Confident Lucy says she has ‘no doubt’ she will complete the marathon manicure session – although she admits she doesn’t have a ‘concrete game plan’.
She added: I haven’t got a concrete game plan for how I’m actually going to keep going for the whole 24 hours. I’m just going to keep my head down and keep working! I know that if I take a break, it’ll be hard to get going again.
“But I know I’ll be fine. I’m doing it for a cause that really matters to me, and I can always count on a bit of adrenaline to keep me going. And if that fails, I can always have a few Red Bulls!”
You can support Lucy’s fundraiser by heading to her JustGiving page, here.
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