East Boldon stylist to head to London to be honoured for charity work

Darren Stuart - based at Tribeca Hair Design in East Boldon - is one of a number of hairdressers who are part of the mynewhair network.

The charity, founded by stylist Trevor Sorbie, provides advice and support to those who have experienced medical hair loss and a wig-styling service.

This year marks its 10th anniversary.

Darren, who joined the charity in 2006 when he saw first hand the effects treatment had on a close friend who was diagnosed with leukaemia. His salon was the 13th to join the charity.

Since then he has been styling wigs for people suffering from medical hair loss and sees 80 people a month at his salon.

He has also been instrumental in the training of hair stylists and joins Trevor Sorbie and other members of the charity every month at special training seminars for hair professionals at the L’Oreal academy in London.

His charity work has been recognised by the Fellowship for British Hairdressing and he has been invited to attend an event at Buckingham Palace.

Darren Stuart, mynewhair Trustee, said: “It’s fantastic that the charity has reached this important milestones and it’s amazing to see how the network of stylists and salons has grown since those early days.

“Medical hair loss is such a sensitive issue and I think everyone suffering from it should be given access to a mynewhair salon via hospitals across the UK as a matter of course. We’re looking forward to the next 10 years as mynewhair continues to go from strength to strength, both here and abroad.”

In the region, around 20 hair stylists from 13 salons provide the mynewhair service across Tyne and Wear, Sunderland, Teesside and County Durham.

There is a salon based at Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary.

For information about the charity, training seminars for hairdressers or to make a donation visit www.mynewhair.org.