Hair-raising challenge for salons

Staff from Saks Hair and Beauty salons in Lytham and Poulton joined others from all over the UK for a special fundraising event.

They took part in a zip-wire challenge, which saw them catapulted head-first across the disused Penryn Quarry in Bethesda, near Bangor – reaching speeds of up to 120mph on a zip-wire.

Zip World Velocity in North Wales is the longest and fastest zip-wire in Europe.

It was part of a fundraising pledge by Saks UK to raise £100,000 in two years for the Eve Appeal – a dedicated charity raising awareness and vital funds for research into women’s gynaecological cancers.

The target date is March 2017 and so far the firm has reached £60,000. There will be a big celebration fundraising ball taking place in March to mark the end of the challenge.

The Fylde coast salons have held a charity frock swap, donated services for cash donations, held raffles and other activities.

As well as raising money, the salons have been doing their bit to help raise awareness of the importance of smear tests and early detection.

Natasha Langthorne, franchisee of Saks Lytham, said: “Our Saks4Eve fundraising just keeps getting better and better. The way our salon team has committed to our chosen charity partnership is a breath of fresh air.

“We’re about making women look and feel special and we’re overwhelmed by the way our customers are supporting our cause.

“On the day of the zip-wire event, it was apparent that a few were worried and hadn’t realised the enormity of the challenge – but everyone rose to it.

“We all love a Saks get-together. And it doesn’t get any better than getting together for The Eve Appeal.”

Athena Lamnosis, chief executive of The Eve Appeal, said: “What an amazing event for Saks to have organised, a team that really is up for a challenge where raising funds and awareness for women’s cancers is concerned.  

“Team Eve – women affected by these cancers, our scientists, medics and volunteers – are incredibly proud of all who took part in the zip-wire challenge.

“By taking part, they really showed Saks’ dedication to fighting gynaecological cancers. Everyone seems to have had a fantastic day, and we hope they have been inspired to continue their efforts back in the salon.

“We hope they keep coming up with the wild and wonderful (and appropriately hair-raising) ideas.”

The sister salons, from Poulton and Lytham, raised more than £1,000 combined.

The term gynaecological cancer refers to the five cancers that start in the female reproductive system.

With the exception of cervical cancer, they are mostly find in women over the age of 50.

Visit saks.co.uk/lytham or www.eveappeal.org.uk