STYLISTS from a Skipton hairdressing group have completed a 100-kilometre charity challenge as part of the group's 35th anniversary celebrations.

Staff from Westrow Hairdressing Group walked for three consecutive days, striding across North and West Yorkshire via all nine Westrow salons to raise funds for The Principle Trust.

The Trust is a Skipton-based charity which provides free respite holidays to children who are underprivileged, disadvantaged, disabled, have life-limiting conditions, or who have experienced poverty, trauma or abuse.

Dubbed The Great Westrow Walk, organisers set a target of raising £5,000 but have already surpassed that with over £7,100 pledged and growing. The money will fund holidays for sixteen families from the Yorkshire region.

The walkers, aged 18 to 59, left the Westrow salon in Skipton on Friday, June 24, calling at branches in Ilkley, Bingley, Leeds city centre (two salons), Westpark, Roundhay and Wetherby, before reaching the finish line at the Harrogate salon on Sunday afternoon.

The walk was the brainchild of Westrow founders Marc Westerman and Steve Rowbottom who wanted to do something special collectively to mark the anniversary.

Marc, who is a patron of The Principle Trust, said: “We want to thank everyone who supported this event; it was a fantastic way to celebrate Westrow’s 35th anniversary. Every penny raised will help to fund much-needed respite holidays for families across Yorkshire”

Founder of The Principle Trust Mike Davies said: “Thanks to the incredible support the Trust will be able to help many more of the region’s disadvantaged, disabled and poorly children create valuable, happy memories.

Established in 1987, Westrow, which is the title-holder of the 2018 British Hairdressing Business Awards Training Award and 2017 British Hairdressing Business Awards Business Directors of the Year also operates its own academy in central Leeds, earning a reputation as one of the country’s leading hairdressing training providers.

The Principle Trust Children’s Charity was established in 2011and serves families throughout Yorkshire, providing free respite holidays to children who are underprivileged, disadvantaged, disabled, have life-limiting conditions, or who have experienced poverty, trauma or abuse. Between 2011 and 2021, The Trust provided free holidays to 4100 children (3730 underprivileged/ disadvantaged and 370 disabled). The Trust owns and operates five holiday homes; 2 in the Lake District and 3 near Blackpool. The Trust’s 100% donations policy ensures every penny raised directly benefits children and their families.

Donations are still be accepted for the challenge at: www.localgiving.org/fundraising/the-great-westrow-walk/