Ramsgate hairdresser Marcello Marino has raised £370 for Oasis charity after snipping his way through seven hours of charity haircuts.
Marcello, whose salon is based in West Cliff Road, is a well-known personality in the town and even took his skills onto Britain’s Got Talent in 2009.
This year he teamed up with the Addington Street Revival Fair to help raise cash for the domestic abuse support organisation.
Marcello, who has appeared on several reality shows and has run his business in Ramsgate for a 27 years, had a nonstop queue of customers to revamp and restyle during the annual fair on September 3.
Jane Hetherington who ran the fair’s bric-a-brac stall with help from her sister Emma, niece Agnes and a team of dedicated locals who also donated all the stock, added another £400 to Marcello’s efforts.
Marcello said: “Thank you to all the people who came and made generous donations to Oasis, such a good local cause.”
His services proved so popular that he generously volunteered to come back to his salon on his day off to fit in those he could not accommodate on the day. In total, he raised a fantastic £369.54 meaning almost £800 in total was handed over.
Jane added: “The fair was fabulous, a real family day out and was packed from start to finish. But what was also important is that we were able to use the event to help promote the fabulous work Oasis does locally to support both adults and children affected by domestic violence.”
She also thanked all those that helped and said all left over items went to the Hospice Shop.
Dee Murphy, community fundraiser at Oasis Domestic Abuse Service, said: “We are so grateful to Marcello, the Addington Street Revival Fair and the many locals that helped, for giving up so much of their time to raise money for some of the most vulnerable people living amongst us.
“The money raised will help us to provide emergency supplies for the women and children who arrive to us with very little and offer counselling and practical support to help them overcome the trauma they have experienced’.
Marcello’s Salon can be found on West Cliff Road, Ramsgate. His number is 01843 592027 or mobile 07792 971116 email address [email protected]
Why is the Oasis charity important?
The charity has been delivering services to people experiencing domestic abuse in Kent for 22 years.
It began with a handful of dedicated people opening a refuge service in 1994. Back then 2 women a week were being murdered as a result of abuse in the home. Sadly that statistic remains the same today.
Every day staff at Oasis are confronted with the distressing results of this issue on the lives of the adults and children.
Today Oasis delivers services to adults and children both in refuge and in the community.
They are also carrying out a series of workshops in schools to teach about healthy relationships and recognising the signs of an abusive relationship and have a charity shop raising funds at 170 Northdown Road, Cliftonville.