Amanda Pauley
The Hair and Beauty Charity has experienced a 78% increase in requests for financial support from beauty and hair professionals during the Covid-19 pandemic – the largest surge since the charity was established in 1853.
Despite suffering a “major loss of income” due to the cancellation of several fundraising activities, the charity has been able to support beneficiaries through a relief fund that has currently raised £30,000 during the crisis.
In the first month of lockdown, the charity saw its monthly expenditure rise by 105%. The charity had distributed more than £60,000 to beneficiaries between April and June; an increase of 75% year-on-year. Many had no access to grants or funding as they fell through the gaps of Government support.
“The stats speak for themselves,” said the charity’s president Samantha Grocutt. “This time last year, we were helping 94 beneficiaries, but now we’re helping 167 beneficiaries.
“It’s been wonderful to see the support the charity is getting from the industry and we’ve been grateful to companies and people who have donated to our relief fund so far.”
The charity has always offered financial help to industry professionals who are in difficult times due to unforeseen circumstances, such as illness, bereavement and financial hardship.
This news follows a recent survey from Simply Business which revealed that beauty salons are, on average, more than £9,000 out of pocket due to coronavirus. – professionalbeauty.co.uk
