Salon’s birthday bash for charity
AHAIRDRESSER with arthritis hosted a fundraising day in aid of the charity which has supported her.
Rebecca Walker, 31, raised £635 for Arthritis Research UK with an event to celebrate the third birthday of her business, the Quirky Do hair and beauty salon at Broken Cross. Rebecca has rheumatoid arthritis – which causes pain and inflammation in joints – and wanted to do something for the charity which has helped her cope with the condition.
While medication helps to some extent, Rebecca suffers every day with stiff, painful joints.
The fundraising event featured activities including a lucky dip, face painting, raffle and gift bags, and Rebecca’s sister Emily Van Schijndel, 28, who works as a beauty therapist at the salon, completed a marathon on a cross trainer – along with pal Sian Howitt – to raise extra cash.
The money raised goes to the Macclesfield and Congleton branch of Arthritis Research UK to fund research and provide support to people with arthritis.
Rebecca, who lives in Congleton with her one-year-old daughter Emilia and husband Paul, said: “The fundraising event was brilliant, lots of people turned up and it felt good to be able to raise money for Arthritis Research. The charity has really supported me, just knowing there are other people like me. Arthritis can affect anyone, it’s not just older people, and I want to make people aware.”
Rebecca started noticing pain in her elbows, shoulders and other joints around five years ago. When she was diagnosed she decided to take the plunge and open her business. She has daily medication and weekly injections to manage the pain and has been trying to change her diet, inviting nutritionist friend Amanda Eyre to give advice at the salon’s fundraising event.
Rebecca said: “I’m trying to have a healthy diet with no sugar and gluten, trying different things to see what works. Regular exercise actually helps too, as it breaks down acid in the joints. When I found out I had arthritis it spurred me on to open the salon and prove to people you can do it. Arthritis is scary but it doesn’t need to be the end of the world.”