Hairdressers do their bit for charity
There are some things to be cheerful about right now, honest!
In his weekly round-up Matthew Batham brings you a snapshot of hairdressing's happy news.
Let's not talk about doom and gloom this week - although there was still plenty lurking in the headlines of every national newspaper and website.
There was lots to be positive about and also a sense that the hairdressing industry is still willing to give back even in difficult economic times.
Things to be positive about? Well, the launch by the government of The Enterprise Guarantee Scheme could bring some relief to businesses trying to secure a loan from a bank.
The scheme will see the government guaranteeing 75% of any loans made up to £1 million, with the bank covering the remaining 25%.
The guarantee is available through some leading high street banks, including Barclays, HBOS, HSBC and Lloyds TSB.
Giving has always been big amongst hairdressers and one of the most charitable hairdressing chains must be David Thomas of the David Thomas Group in Lancashire, who have committed to raising £15,000 for local charity the Rainbow House over a three year period.
In fact, the group has already exceeded this amount in less than two years, recently handing over a cheque for £8,000, raised via its Glitterati Ball, held late last year. 
And of course, hairdressers and former hairdressers also sometimes need a helping hand - and they get it thanks to the industry charity HABB.
This year looks set to be a fun one with the colourful Lynn Hickey, financial director of the seanhanna group at the helm. Lynn takes over as president for 2009 and aims to raise £200,000 to support beneficiaries.
Outgoing president, Eva Proudman, helped raise an impressive £180,000 during 2008.
