An inspirational salon in Failsworth which supports children struggling from hair loss with free wigs and other hair replacement systems has raised a staggering amount for the cause in its star-studded annual gala.
Ashley-Marie Higgings, who runs the My Luscious Locks salon on Alder Road, works around the clock to support youngsters who have suffered from hair loss by making, supplying and fitting wigs or other hair replacements through accessories, hats, headbands and hair extensions with real hair donations.
To this end, the skilled hairdresser launched a charity, Little Lady Locks, in the salon in 2021 which has gone on to support more than 1,000 children.
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Ashley told The Oldham Times that the charity was inspired after she spoke to people who said they struggled to find affordable solutions to help disguise or manage their "very public condition".
In 2018, she trialled fitting new hair on a child and a teenage girl and said she had immediately found her "calling card" after seeing how positively it impacted them.
Clients who use the salon contribute to the costs of running the salon and for the past four years, Little Lady Locks has held a winter gala to raise funds.
Last year, the gala saw TV personality, Gail Porter, and ex-Love Island contestant and alopecia sufferer, Kaz Crossley, take to the stage and host the event which raised £6,442 towards the cause.
Kaz Crossley also made an appearance at this year's gala and in April this year, shaved her head for the cause and ran the Manchester Marathon with a mission to raise £15,000 for the charity.
In a post on her Instagram, Kaz said: "Shaving my head was the least I could do for these girls.
"They kept telling me 'you're so brave' and I was just in shock because they don’t even understand how brave and strong they are.
"They really are going through so much, all we want to do is ease their worries and give them their confidence back."
Then on Friday, November 16, the salon held its Starlight Winter Gala at the Kimpton Hotel in Manchester with host, Olivia McVeigh, a beauty influencer, make-up artist and "alopecia gal".
Olivia was chosen to lead the gala as she understands the challenges of hair loss and her personal connection to the cause makes her "the perfect host".
More than 300 guests piled into the hotel for the night where they also enjoyed live performances from DJ and instrumentalist group, Girls That Mix and an internationally-acclaimed vocalist, Victor Michael, and Hayley Maria.
Now, the salon has revealed they raised a whopping £18,015, nearly three times the amount compared to last year.
Reflecting on the night, Ashley said: "First of all, I would like to thank everybody who has attended and donated to our Starlight Winter Gala, the generosity that people have shown has contributed towards our current total of £18,015.
"For those of you still wishing to support us in changing the lives of little ladies with hair loss across the country, you can still donate via our website.
"A special thank you again to all of the sponsors and volunteers who have all given up their time and money to help this year's gala fundraising total.
We will be updating you on the details of our next ball so keep your eyes peeled."
Olivia McVeigh, who gave a heart-warming speech on the night on how hair loss affected her, also said: "A great night for an even greater cause, the atmosphere in the room was so supportive.
"Ashley and the Little Lady Locks team are changing little lives."
Got a story? Email me Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk
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