Canvey children given free haircuts to help parents with costs

Anna Wilson organised for nine hairdressers to join forces and give up their day to help get children ready for school and to dish out essentials as well as haircuts.

Hairdressers from salons across Benfleet, Thundersley, Hadleigh, and Leigh all volunteered on the day and gathered at Castle View School on Canvey to help families out.

Hold still - another haircut (Image: Anna Wilson)

Children attending the event were not only given a new trim, but were also handed goodie bags containing treats and stationery.

Ms Wilson said one parent, who had lost her husband shortly before the day, had contacted her after to express her and her children’s gratitude.

Thumbs up - a happy customer (Image: Anna Wilson)

She said: “Sometimes you get these messages and it reminds you what you are doing is really worthwhile.

“Lots of parents worry about the rising costs of returning to school and the aim of the day was to relieve some stress for them, and show how the community can band together to make life a little easier.

“There’s a lot of negativity around, so these community collaborations boost morale for everyone.

“To see the difference that it makes, it makes you feel good about where you live.

“It reaffirms people’s faith in each other. It brings people together, to work together, to benefit the community."

Volunteers attending included stylists from Lucy Ann, in Benfleet, Spencer Lynch Salons, in Leigh, Hairwaves Thundersley, the Hair Studio Hadleigh, and Glam Iris, also in Leigh.

Following the event, one mum sent Ms Wilson a message which said: “I could never have afforded to get all three of them back-to-school haircuts and all of the treats they were given.

“It was so so lovely to see them treated so kindly by everyone and they are so excited, unpacking their stationery packs and showing off their new bits to each other.

“They have appreciated every little piece, the stickers, the colouring sheets, the little crochet characters, all of it.”

She thanked both Canvey Morrisons and Danceland at Dalbys for their contributions to the effort.

Salon customers and residents were also praised for their generous donations, as well as Castle View School for allowing them to make use of the wider school building.